07 Staff Report.SLESF
PREPARED BY: Heather St. John
Senior Administrative Analyst
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/07/2023 ITEM NO: 7
DATE: October 24, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Accepting Funds from the California Supplemental Law
Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF)
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution accepting funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service
Fund (SLESF).
BACKGROUND:
In 1996, California legislation (Assembly Bill 3229) created the Citizens Options for Public Safety
(COPS) program allocating $100,000,000 to local governments yearly for front-line law
enforcement. These funds are to be distributed through an established local Supplemental Law
Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF). State General Fund distribution to local law enforcement
agencies are specifically intended for “front-line municipal police services.” COPS funds must
be spent on personnel, equipment, or supplies and are not approved for public safety capital
improvement or construction projects.
Other COPS funds requirements and restrictions include:
• COPS funds shall be used to supplement, not supplant existing funding for law
enforcement services.
• COPS funds shall be deposited into a separate fund, not intermingled with other monies.
• The Town Council shall approve the appropriation of COPS funds pursuant to a
recommendation by the Chief of Police.
• Each county shall establish a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund for deposit
of State COPS funds and distribution to municipalities.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Accepting Funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) DATE: November 7, 2023
BACKGROUND (continued):
Pursuant to AB 3229, the City of Monte Sereno also receives a share of the state SLESF funds
($100,000). The City of Monte Sereno is required by contractual agreement for law
enforcement services to transfer those funds to the Town of Los Gatos within 30 days of
receipt of the monies from the State of California. The contract stipulates that the Los Gatos-
Monte Sereno Police Department will provide additional hours of traffic enforcement within
the city limits of Monte Sereno in exchange for its portion of SLESF funds.
DISCUSSION:
This report recommends the use of SLESF funds consistent with the intent of the COPS
program. The Police Department proposes utilizing the Los Gatos portion ($100,000) of SLESF
funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24 for frontline Police operational equipment and services, which
includes but is not limited to data management and storage of secure digital evidence,
technology equipment which increase operational efficiencies and crime reduction strategies;
and ($100,000) of SLESF funds be directed toward the contractually required traffic
enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution (Attachment 1) to use the SLESF funds as follows:
• $100,000 of SLESF funds will be directed to frontline police operations and services, and
• $100,000 of SLESF funds will be directed toward the contractually required
traffic enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno
FISCAL IMPACT:
If Council approves the proposed recommendation, the Town will continue to receive a
combined total of $200,000 in SLESF funding. Per contract stipulation with the City of Monte
Sereno, $100,000 of SLESF funds will continue being directed toward additional traffic
enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno. The remaining $100,000 of Town SLESF
funds will be redirected toward frontline Police operations and services as described above and
as stated in the Adopted Operating Budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Draft resolution authorizing the use of SLESF funds