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Adopt a resolution affirming the Solano County District Attorney's prior submission of a recurring grant proposal to the California Department of Insurance for the investigation and prosecution of automobile insurance fraud and Authorize the District Attorney to accept the award in the amount of $166,522 for the period ending June 30, 2025
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The District Attorney recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution affirming the Solano County District Attorney's prior submission of a recurring grant proposal to the California Department of Insurance for the investigation and prosecution of automobile insurance fraud; and
2. Authorize the District Attorney to accept the award in the amount of $166,522 for the period ending June 30, 2025.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The District Attorney’s Office has operated the Insurance Fraud Program for the past 29 years. The dedicated unit is assigned exclusively to the prosecution of automobile insurance fraud and consists of a Deputy District Attorney and an Investigator. Each year the District Attorney submits and receives grant funding from the California Department of Insurance to partially offset program costs.
On June 18, 2024, the District Attorney submitted the grant application for FY2024/25. A complete copy of the grant application is included as Attachment A. This is a recurring grant, and revenue and appropriations were included in the Department’s FY2024/25 budget as instructed in the County Financial Administration of Grants handbook. Approval of this recurring grant will allow the District Attorney's Office to continue to investigate and prosecute crimes involving automobile insurance fraud.
On September 6, 2024, the District Attorney was notified by the Insurance Commissioner that the grant was awarded to Solano County in the amount of $166,522 for the period ending June 30, 2025.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The financing for this program is derived from monies collected by insurance companies as a surcharge on automobile insurance premiums. These funds are distributed pursuant to Insurance Code §1872.8 by the State of California Department of Insurance.
The District Attorney budgeted $104,081 for FY2024/25 for the grant, as this amount was in-line with prior year awards. However, the actual award to Solano County was $166,522 for the period ending June 30, 2025. This award is $62,441 greater than the amount included in the FY2024/25 Adopted Budget.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to adopt the resolution; however, this action is not recommended. Failure to adopt the resolution would result in the loss of approximately $166,522 in grant funds and a significant impact in the District Attorney's ability to investigate and prosecute automobile insurance fraud.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION