SUBJECT
Title
SHERIFF - REQUEST TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY PROPOSITION 4 GRANT PROGRAM, AUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS FOR THE EXPANSION OF REENTRY LANDSCAPE AND HORTICULTURE PROGRAMS, AND AUTHORIZE A GOVERNING BODY RESOLUTION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program, approved by California voters in 2024, provides funding to support watershed protection, wildfire resilience, habitat restoration, and workforce development aligned with the San Diego River Conservancy’s mission. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff), Reentry Services Division (RSD), seeks to utilize this funding to support the expansion of the Reentry Landscape and Horticulture Programs at the East Mesa Reentry Facility as part of its development to enhance program services, focused on environmental education, climate‑resilient training, and sustainable practices for individuals in custody. This funding will also support enhancements to the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility to expand the use of outdoor learning spaces for horticulture students, offering more shade, reducing water usage, and supporting biodiversity. Students will learn how to create a biodiverse habitat with growing conditions that improve air quality, support stormwater management, and accommodate oak tree growth at various stages. Grant resources would also support new training spaces, modern classroom enhancements, educational equipment, and technology to strengthen sustainability‑focused career technical education.
Today’s action requests authorization from the Board for the Sheriff to apply for and accept up to $2,023,054 in grant funding from the San Diego River Conservancy, including reviewing and executing all related documents for the Proposition 4 Grant Program, and adopt the required resolution. This action also seeks authorization for the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue competitive solicitations necessary to support program expansion. This action is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); therefore, no environmental determination is required. If awarded, the funding will enhance rehabilitative programming, expand access to environmental and vocational training within reentry facilities, and support climate‑resilient initiatives benefiting both participants and the broader community.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SHERIFF
1. Authorize the San Diego Sheriff's Office (Sheriff) to apply for and, if awarded, accept an estimated amount of up to $2,023,054 in grant revenue from the San Diego River Conservancy for the San Diego Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program.
2. Authorize the Sheriff to apply for and accept grant funding from San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant in subsequent years if there are no material changes to the grant terms and funding levels.
3. Authorize the Sheriff and/or designee to review and execute in this year and subsequent years, all required San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 grant and grant-related documents including any agreements, annual extensions, amendments, and/or revisions thereof that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding levels.
4. Adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY PROPOSITION 4 GRANT PROGRAM.
5. In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue competitive solicitations as needed to support the expansion of the Reentry Landscape and Horticulture programs for incarcerated persons at the reentry facilities, and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price and subject to an award of grant funds, award contracts for a term of up to one year, with up to four option years and up to an additional six months if needed, and to amend the contracts as needed to reflect changes in services and funding as included in the Proposition 4 Grant Program.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Acceptance of the San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program, to be used by the San Diego Sheriff's Office, Reentry Services Division to enhance the Landscaping and Horticultural Program, will support the improvement of learning objectives and expansion of workforce training and environmental education offered to those incarcerated in the County of San Diego. This contributes to a more effective and equitable justice system as the funding supports the initial development of program enhancements, offering access to environmental education and vocational programs to various populations in detention facilities that may have been restricted in the past due to their secure setting. Enhanced program services would offer equitable programming opportunities while providing nature-based solutions for climate resilience. These funds would support an expansion of the Landscaping and Horticultural Programs at both East Mesa Reentry Facility and the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility, directly benefitting San Diego County parks, while expanding on the environmentally conscious education and employment opportunities for the individuals in these programs.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program furthers the Sustainability goals of the County of San Diego (County) by helping the San Diego Sheriff's Office enrich career technical education programs for the incarcerated population that contribute to best sustainability practices, while improving successful reentry through employment pathways in a field that contributes to climate resilience. This program expansion, will add to students education and experience in both small-scale and commercial level composting, contribute to County reforestation efforts as the program provides oak trees offering shade and improved air quality to San Diego County parks, and contribute to the ongoing development of enhanced program services focused on training, education, and sustainability practices for incarcerated individuals within Sheriff's custody.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with today's request to apply for and accept grant funding in the estimated amount of up to $2,023,054 from the San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program and requested action to issue a competitive solicitation. There are no matching funds required. Funds for this request will be included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 CAO Recommended Operational Plan for the San Diego Sheriff's Office. The funding source is the San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program, also referred to as the 2024 Climate Bond. There will be no change in the net general fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The San Diego Sheriff's Office (Sheriff), Reentry Services Division (RSD) is dedicated to supporting the incarcerated population in preparing for a successful reentry through educational, psychosocial, Career Technical Education (CTE), and wellness programs. In partnership with County of San Diego (County) Department of Parks and Recreation, the Landscaping and Horticulture Program supports reforestation efforts in County parks by growing approximately 2,000 trees per year. Students in this program receive environmental education on sustainable farming techniques, gain knowledge in composting, and growing drought tolerant and native plant propagation. While the hands-on training aspect of these programs is limited to the reentry facilities, RSD aims to expand access to additional populations, enrich training opportunities, and develop employment pathways focused on sustainability and climate resiliency.
The San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program was approved with the purpose of building a resilient future and fulfilling the San Diego River Conservancy’s mission to conserve land, and protect native species, habitat, and other valuable resources. Its objectives include watershed improvement, wildfire resilience, chaparral and forest restoration, and workforce development initiatives that address these needs and help mitigate climate impacts on the communities. In alignment with these goals, RSD aims to support the expansion of the Reentry Landscape and Horticulture Programs at the East Mesa Reentry Facility as part of its development to enhance program services focused on training, environmental education, and sustainable practices for individuals in Sheriff's custody. RSD also aims to enhance the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility by expanding the use of outdoor learning spaces for horticulture students by offering more shade, reducing water usage, and supporting biodiversity. The Proposition 4 Grant Program will support the expansion of the Reentry Landscape and Horticulture programs for incarcerated persons by integrating modern classroom spaces, new educational and training equipment, and advanced technology resources to cultivate a rehabilitative environment. The goal is to strengthen CTE training that advance sustainability practices, including nature-based solutions for climate resilience. Individuals in County jails will gain enhanced access to CTE programs emphasizing sustainability and environmental stewardship. These programs will provide participants with industry-recognized skills and knowledge, positioning them for long-term employment opportunities in the community and successful reentry.
If awarded, this funding will further develop and enrich CTE training that aligns with best sustainability practices, supported with the necessary updated technology and an expanded environment designed for hands-on learning. This includes the purchase of a two-story shaded structure where students can learn how to create a biodiverse habitat, as well as equipment needed for the development of a modern facility to serve as a hub for skill development, along with updated classroom furnishings. This project will also establish dedicated work and learning stations for CTE programs and will require an expanded Wi-Fi network and technology enhancements to support a learning environment and educational activities. The application deadline is June 1, 2026, and the award is estimated at $2,023,054.
Today's request is also to adopt the proposed resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY PROPOSITION 4 GRANT PROGRAM. The intent of the resolution is to authorize the application and acceptance of the grant funds and delegates authority to the Sheriff and/or Sheriff's designees to act on the County's behalf in matters pertaining to the grant. This delegated authority would authorize the San Diego Sheriff's Office to submit, accept, approve, review and execute all required San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 grant applications and grant-related documents including any agreements, annual extensions, amendments, and/or revisions thereof that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding levels as needed on behalf of the County Administrator. If awarded, the funding will enhance rehabilitative programming, expand access to environmental and vocational training within reentry facilities, and support climate‑resilient initiatives benefiting both participants and the broader community. Additionally, today's request would authorize the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue competitive solicitations as needed to support the expansion of the Reentry Landscape and Horticulture programs for incarcerated persons in the reentry facilities.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action for the Sheriff's Office to accept a portion of the San Diego River Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program supports the Sustainability, Equity, Community, and Justice Strategic Initiatives of the County of San Diego's 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by providing funding to support environmental education contributing to climate resilience, promoting equity through expanded training opportunities for people in the criminal justice system, and advance justice by enabling participants to repair harm to communities and contribute to the region to increase both public safety and our community environment.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly a. martinez
Sheriff
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY PROPOSITION 4 GRANT PROGRAM