Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 3.6. 4/12/2022 File #: 22-0207
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Rob Houston, City Manager
FROM: Dan Adams, Chief of Police
1. SUBJECT
Agreement with the County of Orange for a Lead Forensic Specialist during Fiscal Year 2022-2025.
2. SUMMARY
The proposed three-year agreement will provide the continuation of services for a dedicated Lead Forensic Specialist to conduct fingerprint examinations in the amount of $198,614 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the agreement with the County of Orange in the amount of $198,614 for a Lead Forensic Specialist; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
The total expenditure for this agreement is $198,614 and will be funded upon adoption of the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget through General Fund (100).
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 1: Provide for a safe community
a: Provide staffing and resources to deliver services that ensure public safety.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
Over the years, the Police Department’sForensic Services Specialist position has remained vacant due to lack of qualified candidates. The Forensic Services Specialist position provides vital services to the department and requires a unique skill set and qualifications not easily attained. The Department relied on the assistance of the Orange County Sheriff’sDepartment (OCSD) for many years; however, this process resulted in a delay in processing evidence that caused a backlog of fingerprint analysis.
In January 2017, the Police Department transitioned from a “first-come, first-serve” basis with the County to a contractual service agreement that assigned a dedicated fingerprint examiner to Orange Police Department (OPD) casework. The Department mitigated the cost of services by holding the department’sForensic Services Specialist position vacant, and ultimately eliminated the position in July 2019. Since contracting with OCSD, the department has cleared the backlog of fingerprint analysis and has remained current with daily activity.
The term of this agreement spans three years, commencing July 1, 2022, and terminating June 30, City of Orange Printed on 4/7/2022Page 1 of 2
powered by Legistar™
Item #: 3.6. 4/12/2022 File #: 22-0207
The term of this agreement spans three years, commencing July 1, 2022, and terminating June 30, 2025. The total cost of $198,614 is for the initial period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, and will require an amendment to authorize cost increases each fiscal year, for years two and three, to continue with the agreement. If the cost estimates are not approved, the contract can be terminated.
Annual increases are calculated by the County and include the full anticipated cost of services, equipment, and supplies in accordance with current County cost data.
The services the County provides to OPD are immeasurable. The contract specifies one Lead Forensic Specialist; however, the County has far exceeded the agency’s expectations and has provided, on numerous occasions, additional staff to oversee critical incidents. This has been documented with the most recent mass shooting incident in March 2021.
Based on their high level of service and positive results, the department is requesting the continuation of services in the amount of $198,614 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· Agreement with the County of Orange
City of Orange Printed on 4/7/2022Page 2 of 2
powered by Legistar™