Memorandum
Date: March 21, 2022
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Rob Howe, Chief Probation Officer
Subject: Adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2021-116 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, Budget Unit No.2302, Probation.
Executive Summary:
As I am sure the Board is aware, bail reform has been a priority in the State of California. The California Supreme Court Case “Humphrey” established case law that, in short, says detention solely because of inability to pay bail is unconstitutional. Since that decision, probation departments throughout the state have been tasked with developing pre-trail programs to deal with a growing population of individuals that, rather than being released on bail, are released to various levels of court ordered probation programs and supervision.
In late 2021, Senate Bill 129 “Budget Act of 2021” was passed and contained funding, available to Superior Courts, to establish local pre-trial programs. Lake County’s Superior Court recently completed an MOU process to fund the Lake County Probation Department in the amount of $140,000 per Fiscal Year for these programs. Since managing this pre-trial population represents a significant increase in staff time, I believe the funding should be used for a full time allocated position. Because this positon will be developing programs and supervising the work of Deputy Probation Officers, Deputy Probation Officer, Senior is the appropriate position.
I have discussed this with the Lake County Superior Court Executive Officer who agrees with this proposal and has verified it would be an appropriate and approved expenditure of this funding.
$140,000 would cover the complete cost of the requested allocated position without cost to the General Fund.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action:
Staff requests your Board’s approval to adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2021-116
Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, Budget Unit No.2302, Probation.