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Adopt a resolution approving participation in the 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) for the period October 1, 2025 through May 31, 2028, affirming the grant expenditure plan and authorizing the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and Director of Administrative Services to take any actions necessary to obtain and administer the grant, and pending County Counsel concurrence, sign all grant related documents, any service contracts, and subsequent amendments itemized in the grant expenditure plan; Approve fixed asset purchases of $201,468 for the Solano Operational Area joint-agency response teams and non-county agencies for a mobile breathing support unit and hazardous material detection equipment; Approve fixed asset purchases of $204,549 for a message sign board trailer equipment, automated license plate readers, vehicle barrier equipment and an all-terrain vehicle; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $490,915 in unanticipated grant revenue offset with grant expenditures based on the grant expenditure plan (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes No _X_ Public Hearing Required? Yes No _X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution approving participation in the 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) for the period October 1, 2025 through May 31, 2028, affirming the grant expenditure plan and authorizing the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and Director of Administrative Services to take any actions necessary to obtain and administer the grant, and pending County Counsel concurrence, sign all grant related documents, any service contracts, and subsequent amendments itemized in the grant expenditure plan;
2. Approve fixed asset purchases of $201,468 for the Solano Operational Area joint-agency response teams and non-county agencies for a mobile breathing support unit and hazardous material detection equipment;
3. Approve fixed asset purchases of $204,549 for a message sign board trailer equipment, automated license plate readers, vehicle barrier equipment and an all-terrain vehicle; and
4. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request of $490,915 for FY2025/26 to recognize unanticipated grant revenue offset with grant expenditures per the grant expenditure plan (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY
On May 13, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a notification of funding availability under its 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These are federal funds allocated to the states to improve prevention and protection capabilities at the state and local levels to prevent terrorism and other catastrophic events, and to prepare for threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States. States in turn may award funds to counties or their equivalent to provide a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration.
The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) awards funding through a non-competitive grant process in which each California county’s allocation is included in the State’s HSGP funding announcement. Solano County’s allocation is $490,915. Due to changes in the staffing levels at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the funding concerns with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the State application deadline was moved from Fall of 2025 and is now expected to be scheduled for July 2026. CalOES requires a Board resolution (Attachment A) to be submitted as part of Solano County’s application to finalize the acceptance process.
The 2025 HSGP Expenditure Plan (Plan) is detailed in the Discussion section of this report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Solano County’s allocation is $490,915. Although the grant program does not require a match provision, it does require 35% of the total award to be allocated to Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention-oriented activities and equipment and 30% of the total award be allocated toward six pre-identified National Priorities, with one of the six requiring three percent minimum. The Appropriations Transfer Request would increase appropriations by $490,915 to make enhancements to catastrophic incident planning, response and recovery through the purchase of necessary equipment and training. The new appropriations would be entirely offset with grant revenue; therefore, Board approval will not impact the County General Fund. Grant expenditures will be reimbursed by CalOES as expenses are incurred, or on a quarterly basis, and will not significantly impact the County’s cash flow.
While the application processes is still ongoing, the granting period dates back to October 1, 2025, and all staffing and administration costs pertaining to this grant need to be allocated accordingly in order to claim those expenses; therefore, an Appropriation Transfer Request to allocate the grant expenditure plan is being requested. No fixed asset purchases will be bought until the final grant documents have been received from CalOES.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The National Preparedness Goal is for communities to be prepared for all types of disasters and emergencies, specifically to have community-wide capabilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greater risk. The National Preparedness System outlines an organized process for everyone in a community to move forward with preparedness activities to achieve this goal. The 2025 HSGP plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System and supports it by funding activities that build, sustain, and deliver the core capabilities of Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery and National Priorities of Protection of Soft Targets, Information and Intelligence Sharing, Cybersecurity, Domestic Violent Extremism, Community Preparedness, and Election Security. California’s HSGP administers funds to focus on improving prevention and protection capabilities at the state and local levels.
As part of the State’s process for submission of the State’s grant application to DHS, Cal OES solicits pre-application information and expenditure plans from California counties prior to FEMA’s funding announcement. The 2025 HSGP Expenditure Plan was developed in consultation with the Solano HSGP Approval Authority Body composed of the Solano County Sheriff, Solano County Public Health Officer, City of Vacaville Fire Chief, Suisun Fire Protection District Fire Chief, and the City of Suisun City Police Chief. Members of the Approval Authority Body are selected by the Police and Fire Chief’s Association. A detailed description of the Plan is enumerated below:
Breathing Unit: $183,000 to purchase breathing units for Vacaville Fire Department to respond to all-hazard events through the purchase of a mobile breathing support unit. This will be stored in a central location by the Vacaville Fire Department.
HazMat Materials Detection Equipment: $18,468 to enhance the Protection of Soft Targets and Crowded Places. This equipment will assist in effectively and safely mitigate any risk in an event of a terrorist attack.
Message Sign Boards (National Priority): $55,406 to purchase mobile message board trailer equipment addressing potential election-related disruption. This will be used by law enforcement officers for anti-terrorism activities such as identification of threats at high-risk locations or events, including election activities.
Anti-Vehicle Barrier Trailer (National Priority): $96,160 to purchase a modular barrier equipment and a transport trailer. These are essential for all-hazards operations, including terrorism prevention and border security.
Automatic License Plate Reader Systems (ALPR): $36,818 to purchase ALPR systems. This equipment will aid in tracking suspected terrorists and will be equipped with software which can integrate into the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center ALPR program.
ATV: $16,165 to fund the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle to improve mobility and enable rapid deployment in diverse terrains where traditional vehicles may struggle.
Staffing: $60,353 to fund an extra-help part-time Project Manager to develop and implement a public awareness and training campaign focused on combating domestic violent extremism. This project supports the National Priority to combat domestic violent extremism.
Management and Administration: $24,545 to offset salary and benefits costs for Sheriff’s Office staff performing grant administration activities.
The Solano County Office of Emergency Services will manage and coordinate the program projects including a reallocation of certain expenses to meet the needs of specific projects.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to authorize participation in the program; however, this alternative is not recommended as non-participation may negatively impact the County’s preparedness to secure the Solano Operational Area. Additionally, this alternative is not fiscally prudent as funds would be redistributed to other counties and without the funds, the Sheriff’s Office would not have sufficient appropriations to carry out the activities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Approval Authority Body within the Solano Operational Area approved the proposed application and expenditure plan. The Solano Operational Area, which includes the entire County, is represented by the Solano County Sheriff, Solano County Public Health Officer, city police departments, city fire departments, and local fire protection districts.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION