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Approve a $284,804 contract with Kevin Gordon to provide chaplain services to justice-involved persons for the period May 16, 2025, through June 30, 2027; Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, pending County Counsel concurrence, with an annual aggregate of $74,999; and Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff and Director of Administrative Services to execute contract amendments which are administrative or technical in nature
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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. Approve a $284,804 contract with Kevin Gordon to provide chaplain services to justice-involved persons for the period May 16, 2025, through June 30, 2027;
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, pending County Counsel concurrence, with an annual aggregate of $74,999; and
3. Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff and Director of Administrative Services to execute contract amendments which are administrative or technical in nature.
SUMMARY/ DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to section 4027 of the California Penal Code and requirements from the Board of State and Community Corrections under Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations, County jails must provide inmates, or justice-involved (JI) persons with reasonable opportunities to worship and the opportunity to exercise their religious freedom. Inmates also receive advice and counseling on moral, spiritual, domestic, religious, and personal issues.
The proposed contract outlines the expected duties of the Chaplain. The Chaplain will provide mandated religious services to JI persons and promote positive spiritual, moral, and emotional development of JI persons through including, but not limited to, individual and/or group counseling, workshops, prayer, inspirational reading and study material. The Chaplain will coordinate inter-faith and multi-denominational volunteer recruitment efforts and respond to or coordinate a response from religious volunteers to respond to emergencies, family tragedies or other issues, and/or visit JI persons or their families that have been hospitalized locally. The Chaplain provides death notifications to inmate families and acts as a liaison between the Sheriff’s Office and local community religious and social organizations. The Chaplain also responds to religious-related grievances, approves religious diet requests, assists with updating policy and procedures, and attends various functions (e.g., funerals, graduations, promotions, award ceremonies, and social events) offering invocations and benedictions.
Kevin Gordon, the son of a minister, was born and raised in the Bay Area. He became an ordained minister in 1991 and attended the Bay Cities Bible Institute in Oakland where he earned a Diploma in Biblical Studies in 1993. In 1999, he received a bachelor’s degree in theology, and in 2000, a Master of Christian Education from the Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College. In 2001, he founded the Vallejo Bible College, where he currently serves as President. Mr. Gordon has also served as the Associate Minister of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church since 2000 and served a one-year residency as a Chaplain student for a Sacramento medical center from 2023 to 2024. Caring for and helping others is an important part of Mr. Gordon’s life and he hopes to help JI persons housed within our County facilities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the proposed contract is $284,804, with an estimated cost of $18,156 for FY2024/25. There are sufficient appropriations in the Inmate Welfare Fund’s (IWF) FY2024/25 Working Budget to cover the FY2024/25 cost of the contract. Chaplain services are funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund (Fund 026) administered by the Sheriff’s Office; therefore, Board approval will have no impact to the County General Fund. Costs for the remaining term of the contract will be included in future fiscal year’s budgets.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the contract; however, this alternative is not recommended as the proposed services are mandated by Section 4027 of the California Penal Code under Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the contract as to form. Human Resources has reviewed and approved the contract provisions related to contract employees including the Contract Employee wages and employer-paid benefits.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION