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DATE: |
October 21, 2025 |
01 |
SUBJECT
Title
SHERIFF - ADDITION OF TWO TRAFFIC DEPUTIES IN THE CITY OF ENCINITAS AND TWO PATROL DEPUTIES IN THE CITY OF LEMON GROVE (DISTRICTS: 3 & 4)
Body
OVERVIEW
On January 25, 2022 (2) the Board of Supervisors approved the Sheriff’s Office law enforcement services contract with nine incorporated cities in the County for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027. Two of those cities, Encinitas and Lemon Grove, have requested to add two additional deputies to each of their contracts. Encinitas has seen an increase in road traffic and the two additional traffic deputies requested will be dedicated to traffic-related enforcement, with particular emphasis on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement, collision reduction, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and traffic code compliance. Lemon Grove has seen an increase in call volume as well as workload demand; the two additional patrol deputies requested will be dedicated to proactive patrols and community engagement, specialized enforcement and follow-up investigations, proactive projects, and patrol trolley stations.
This request is to approve and authorize the addition of two traffic deputies to the City of Encinitas and two patrol deputies to the City of Lemon Grove for law enforcement services. This request also includes establishing appropriations of $1,311,904 in the Sheriff’s Office based on unanticipated revenue from the City of Encinitas and the City of Lemon Grove, transferring appropriations of $330,860 from the Sheriff’s Office Capital Assets Equipment to the General Fund Contributions to Fleet Internal Service Fund, and amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Department of General Services Fleet ISF Spending Plan by $330,860. Due to the provisions of Government Code 51350, a waiver of Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery, is also included in today’s request, which requires full cost-recovery for fees, grants, and revenue contracts.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SHERIFF
1. Approve and authorize the Sheriff’s Office to add four staff years, to support the cities of Encinitas and Lemon Grove, and direct the Department of Human Resources to classify the positions at the appropriate levels.
2. Establish appropriations of $1,311,904 in the Sheriff’s Office, Salaries & Benefits ($743,436), Services & Supplies ($237,608) and Capital Assets Equipment ($330,860) for law enforcement services based on unanticipated revenue from the City of Encinitas ($655,952) and City of Lemon Grove ($655,952). (4 VOTES)
3. Transfer appropriations of $330,860 from the Sheriff’s Office, Capital Assets Equipment, to the General Fund Contributions to Fleet Internal Service Fund (ISF), Operating Transfer Out, to purchase four vehicles.
4. Amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Department of General Services Fleet ISF Spending Plan by $330,860 for the purchase of four vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office based on an operating transfer from the General Fund. (4 VOTES)
5. Waive Board Policy B-29 - Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery which requires full cost recovery for fees, grants, and revenue contracts.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Public safety includes engagement, involvement, and connection to communities. This negotiated contract supports the staffing and equipment necessary to provide the highest level of public safety service to all in the nine incorporated cities that contract for Sheriff’s Office law enforcement services. The additional contracts will increase staffing to respond to calls for service, investigate crimes, assist the community, and provide related support. The Sheriff’s Office strives for equitable outcomes in our communities, which means that the law enforcement services afford our communities a chance to lower crime and improve quality of life throughout the entire jurisdiction.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
By expanding the contract for law enforcement services, the Sheriff’s Office is advancing the County’s Sustainability Goal of ensuring just and equitable access for all residents. The additional traffic deputies in Encinitas will assist the city to mitigate risks and prevent threats to the community’s safety posed by the rising vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle activity. The additional patrol deputies in Lemon Grove enhance the public safety services provided to the residents of Lemon Grove. Public safety is an essential component of thriving communities, and the Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping our communities safe and as crime free as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are not included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan for the Sheriff’s Office. If approved, this request will result in current year costs and revenue of $1,311,904 for current year costs related to Salaries & Benefits ($743,436) for four additional staff years, Services & Supplies ($237,608) and Capital Assets Equipment ($330,860) for law enforcement services provided to contract cities. The funding source is revenue from the cities of Encinitas ($655,952) and Lemon Grove ($655,952). A waiver of Board Policy B-29 - Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery is required since the contract revenue will recover Sheriff’s Office direct costs and a portion of indirect costs. Pursuant to Government Code Section 51350, the County shall not charge a city contracting for a particular service, any portion of those direct or indirect costs which are attributable to services made available to all portions of the county. Those indirect costs will be funded by existing General Purpose Revenue in the Sheriff’s Office. Subsequent year costs and revenue will be included in future year Operational Plans for the Sheriff’s Office. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and there will be an increase of four staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
On January 25, 2022 (2), the Board of Supervisors approved the Sheriff’s Office law
enforcement services contract with nine incorporated cities in the County authorizing the Sheriff to sign all required contract documents, including mid-year service level changes. Two of those cities, Encinitas and Lemon Grove, have requested to add two additional deputies to each of their contracts.
The City of Encinitas has formally adopted its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, which includes a strategic expansion of law enforcement services through the addition of two Sheriff’s uniformed traffic deputies to the existing Encinitas Sheriff’s Office contract. This budgetary allocation reflects the City’s commitment to enhancing public safety and addressing evolving traffic enforcement needs within its jurisdiction. This staffing request represents the first expansion of contracted traffic enforcement services in over a decade. During this period, the City has experienced significant growth in road usage, with a marked increase in vehicular traffic, bicycle activity, and pedestrian movement. As a result, the demand for proactive traffic enforcement has outpaced the capacity of current staffing levels. This request also aligns with the City’s broader public safety objectives and supports the County’s mission to provide responsive and effective law enforcement services. Approval of this staffing augmentation will directly contribute to safer roads and improved quality of life for residents and visitors in Encinitas.
The two additional traffic deputies at Encinitas will be dedicated to traffic-related enforcement, with particular emphasis on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement, collision reduction, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and traffic code compliance. These deputies will be equipped with two additional patrol vehicles, enabling expanded coverage and rapid response capabilities. The City of Encinitas has fully budgeted for the personnel and equipment costs associated with this expansion and is prepared to implement the enhanced services upon approval.
The current staffing levels at the Lemon Grove Substation are not sufficient to meet the increasing demands in call volume, community needs, workload and morale, which impact both the community safety and wellbeing of the staff. The City of Lemon Grove has approved and requested two additional patrol deputies that will be funded from a newly passed tax measure. These positions allow for greater community engagement and ensure that the staff can focus on both reactive calls and proactive projects that directly enhance public safety.
The two additional patrol deputies will work on proactive patrols and community engagement, specialized enforcement and follow-up investigations, proactive projects, and patrol trolley stations.
This request is to approve and authorize the addition of two traffic deputies to the City of Encinitas and two patrol deputies to the City of Lemon Grove for law enforcement services. This request also includes establishing appropriations of $1,311,904 in the Sheriff’s Office based on unanticipated revenue from the City of Encinitas and the City of Lemon Grove, transferring appropriations of $330,860 from the Sheriff’s Office Capital Assets Equipment to the General Fund Contributions to Fleet Internal Service Fund, and amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Department of General Services Fleet ISF Spending Plan by $330,860. Due to the provisions of Government Code 51350 which preclude charging of general overhead costs, a waiver of Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery, is also included in today’s request, which requires full cost-recovery for fees, grants, and revenue contracts.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the Community and Justice Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan by increasing Sheriff’s staff to provide the highest quality public safety services to the residents within and visitors to the incorporated cities that contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
Respectfully submitted,
KELLY A. MARTINEZ
Sheriff
ATTACHMENT(S)
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