Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 3.5. 4/25/2023 File #: 23-0187
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Dan Adams, Chief of Police
1. SUBJECT
First Amendment to Agreement No. 6447.4 with the County of Orange for a Lead Forensic Specialist during Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
2. SUMMARY
The First Amendment with the County of Orange authorizes the continuation of services for a dedicated Lead Forensic Specialist to conduct fingerprint examinations in the amount of $191,257 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the First Amendment to Agreement No. 6447.4 with the County of Orange for a Lead Forensic Specialist in the amount of $191,257 and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
The total expenditure for this agreement is $191,257 and will be funded upon adoption of the proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 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
Prior to 2019, the Police Department held a fully funded Forensic Services Specialist position that was vacant for many years due to lack of qualified candidates. The Forensic Services Specialist position provided vital services to the Department and required a unique skill set and qualifications that were not easily attained. During this time, the Department relied on the assistance of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD); 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 OCSD 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 City of Orange Printed on 4/20/2023Page 1 of 2
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Item #: 3.5. 4/25/2023 File #: 23-0187
July 2019.
The services OCSD provides to OPD are immeasurable. The contract specifies one Lead Forensic Specialist; however, OCSD has far exceeded the agency’s expectations and has provided, on numerous occasions, additional staff to oversee critical incidents.
The term of the original agreement spans three years, commencing July 1, 2022, and terminating June 30, 2025. The agreement requires City Council to authorize cost increases each fiscal year, for years two and three, to continue with the agreement. If the cost increases are not approved in the subsequent fiscal years, the contract can be terminated. The cost breakdown is provided below.
Contract Fiscal Year Cost of Service Annual Change
Year One 2022 - 2023 $198,614
Year Two 2023 - 2024 $191,257 ($7,357) 3.7% Decrease
Annual costs are calculated by the County and include the full anticipated cost of services, equipment, and supplies in accordance with current OCSD cost data. Due to ongoing labor negotiations and a decrease in retirement rates, the cost of services decreased 3.7% for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (FY 23-24).
Based on their high level of service and positive results, the department is requesting the continuation of services in the amount of $191,257 for FY 23-24.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· First Amendment Agreement with the County of Orange
City of Orange Printed on 4/20/2023Page 2 of 2
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