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Receive an update on the Sheriff Office’s ability to provide temporary law enforcement assistance to the City of Vallejo; Provide direction on a proposed contract for services; and, If applicable, consider delegating authority to the County Administrator, with County Counsel and General Services concurrence, to approve any necessary exemptions to the County Contracting and Purchasing Policy in order to expedite related purchases
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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. Receive an update on the Sheriff Office’s ability to provide temporary law enforcement assistance to the City of Vallejo;
2. Provide direction on a proposed contract for services; and
3. If applicable, consider delegating authority to the County Administrator, with County Counsel and General Services concurrence, to approve any necessary exemptions to the County Contracting and Purchasing Policy in order to expedite related purchases.
SUMMARY:
On May 6, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff) provided the Board of Supervisors (Board) with an informational presentation on the Sheriff’s ability to provide temporary law enforcement assistance to the City of Vallejo (Vallejo) and requested direction on whether to proceed with contract discussions to provide such services. The Board directed the Sheriff to proceed with contract negotiations with Vallejo based on a previously provided term sheet, subject to three key conditions being met.
Staff returned to the Board on June 24, 2025, with a recommendation not to approve the proposed contract due to unresolved labor, staffing, and procurement issues that made the contract not feasible in the available timeframe. The Board continued the item to July 22, 2025, with direction that staff attempt to resolve those issues during the intervening period.
Since June 24, 2025, staff have taken the key steps described below to address the issues identified:
• SEIU: Meet-and-confer process with SEIU, representing Dispatchers, was completed on July 3, 2025. SEIU does not oppose proceeding with the contract.
• DSA: Human Resources (HR) and Sheriff’s staff met with the DSA on July 9, 2025 to discuss potential impacts. Discussions are on-going and staff will provide an update at the July 22, 2025 Board meeting.
• LEMA: Notified on July 11, 2025 and responded on July 15, 2025 confirming they were forgoing the formal meet-and-confer process.
• CalPERS/HR: HR worked with CalPERS to clarify the limitations on the use of retired annuitants. As a result of updated guidance from CalPERS, staff believes that the County can meet the contract’s staffing requirements.
• Procurement: Staff have worked through the purchasing and contracting process and believe the necessary equipment, technology, and fleet procurement can be completed on schedule. However, to preserve flexibility and meet the implementation timeline, staff request that the Board delegate limited authority to the County Administrator, with concurrence from County Counsel and General Services, to approve exemptions to the County’s Contracting and Purchasing Policy if necessary.
As discussions with the DSA remain in process, staff will provide further updates on the status and recommended next steps on July 22, 2025.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Sheriff, County Counsel, and CAO’s Office have dedicated significant time and resources to develop the proposed service model, obtain the legislation necessary to backfill staff to provide services to Vallejo, and drafting and negotiating the contract.
Estimated costs and payments under the proposed contract include:
• Start-up costs: $1,439,695
• Liability, reserve, and insurance: $1,932,700
• Service cost (January 4, 2026 to January 2, 2027): $7,860,148
The Sheriff would invoice Vallejo monthly based on actual expenses incurred by the Sheriff in providing the services. All estimated costs and revenues would be recognized and appropriated by the Board at a future Board meeting and in FY2025/26 and FY2026/27 Sheriff’s Operating Budgets.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Update
On June 25, 2025, Human Resources (HR) issued union notices to LEMA, SEIU, and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) regarding the proposed contract. SEIU and the DSA requested to meet and confer regarding potential impacts to their represented employees, but LEMA did not.
On July 3, 2025, HR, SEIU, and Sheriff’s staff met to discuss the contract. That process was successfully completed.
On July 9, 2025, HR, the DSA, and Sheriff’s staff met to discuss the contract and potential impacts. Those discussions remain ongoing. Accordingly, the meet and confer process has not concluded.
Separately, Human Resources worked with CalPERS to clarify the limitations on the use of retired annuitants. As a result of updated guidance from CalPERS, staff believes that the County can meet the contract’s staffing requirements.
Sheriff and General Services staff have also reviewed the timelines for procuring equipment, vehicles, and communications technology. Based on this assessment, staff believe all necessary purchases can be completed in time for a January 4, 2026 service launch. However, to ensure the project remains on schedule despite potential delays, staff request that the Board delegate authority to the County Administrator, with concurrence from County Counsel and General Services, to approve any necessary exemptions to the County’s Contracting and Purchasing Policy to expedite related procurements.
Background
In July 2023, the Vallejo City Council declared a local emergency due to a critical shortage of police personnel. Sworn staffing fell to unsustainable levels, severely affecting patrol coverage and response times. Vallejo formally requested assistance from the Sheriff’s Office in November 2023.
At that time, the Sheriff advised that insufficient staffing precluded immediate support. As a legislative solution, the Sheriff worked with Senator Bill Dodd to introduce Senate Bill (SB) 1379, which exempts up to 20 retired annuitants from the CalPERS 960-hour limit, enabling the Sheriff to backfill internal courtroom and dispatch functions and redeploy active personnel to support Vallejo. SB 1379 was signed into law in September 2024 and will sunset on January 1, 2027.
Shortly after the bill’s enactment, the Sheriff and the VPD developed a proposed service plan to provide temporary law enforcement assistance to Vallejo. The plan involves Sheriff’s Deputies providing patrol coverage for approximately half of Vallejo, from 12 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Staffing includes:
• 1.0 FTE Lieutenant - Sheriff
• 12.0 FTE Deputy Sheriffs
• 2.0 FTE Public Safety Dispatchers
• 2.0 FTE Limited-Term Sergeants - Sheriff
In December 2024, the Sheriff submitted a term sheet to Vallejo outlining the key terms and conditions necessary to proceed with a formal services contract, subject to approval by the Board. The term sheet addressed essential elements such as operational scope of services, staffing levels, insurance and liability provisions, and cost responsibilities. It also identified three critical preconditions for advancing to contract execution: (1) approval of a finalized agreement by July 1, 2025; (2) written confirmation from the DOJ that its settlement agreement with Vallejo would not apply to the Sheriff; and (3) agreement from the County’s applicable employee bargaining units.
On March 6, 2025, the Vallejo City Council received an update on VPD staffing levels and the Sheriff’s term sheet. Vallejo staff requested direction from the Council on the Sheriff’s proposed service model. Councilmembers submitted follow-up questions regarding the term sheet on March 21, 2025, to which the Sheriff responded on April 1, 2025. At its April 8, 2025 meeting, the City Council approved funding for a contract with the Sheriff and directed Vallejo staff to begin contract discussions. Subsequently, on May 6, 2025, the Board authorized the Sheriff to proceed with contract negotiations. On June 17, 2025, the Vallejo City Council approved the draft contract (Attachment C).
On June 16, 2025, Solano County Counsel received an email from the DOJ stating that the only parties to the settlement agreement are the Attorney General, the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Department - the Solano County Sheriff is not a party to the Agreement.
On June 17, 2025, the DSA submitted a letter to the Board formally opposing the proposed contract. In doing so, the DSA identified a range of potential impacts, thereby triggering the County’s obligation under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act to meet and confer in good faith with the DSA about those impacts. The County must continue its meet-and-confer process with the DSA to address these potential impacts.
As discussions with the DSA remain in process, staff will provide further updates on the status and recommended next steps on July 22, 2025.
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternatively, the Board could direct staff to continue the meet-and-confer process with the DSA in an effort to resolve any issues/concerns. If a resolution is reached, the Sheriff could return at that time to request consideration and potential approval of the proposed contract. This alternative is not recommended, as it may leave insufficient time to recruit staff, procure equipment, and implement the necessary infrastructure to begin services by January 4, 2026.
Additionally, the Board could direct staff to consider developing alternative service delivery models or programs and return to the Board at a future date as necessary.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and the County Administrator’s Office, in coordination with the Sheriff’s Office, participated in drafting and negotiating the contract. Human Resources, in coordination with the Sheriff’s Office participated in the meet and confer process.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION