TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Contract Renewal
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the General Manager to enter into a contract with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for transit police services, with a base period from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with two (2) one-year options to extend upon mutual decision.
Staff Contact:
Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Safe and Secure Operations
Initiative - Service Quality
Continuing to contract with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office (CCCSO) will allow the District to continue to provide safe and secure operations to its employees, customers, and properties.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The contract has a not-to-exceed cost for the base three-year term of $11,161,272, which is an increase of 19% over the cost of the most recent prior three years of CCCSO services. The first year of the new contract is increasing 8% over the prior year, with the following years increasing at lower rates of 5% and 4% respectively. The new contract will require an increase of $130,400 over the existing FY 2024-25 budget amount, which will be included in the mid-year adjustment.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The District currently contracts with Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for sworn law enforcement services on its buses, and its transit facilities and District properties throughout Contra Costa County. The current contract expires December 31, 2024. The new contract will extend services for a base period of three years through December 31st, 2027, with two (2) one-year options to extend upon mutual agreement.
CCCSO has provided high quality sworn law enforcement services to the District for many years. They are proactive with community policing efforts and connect our most vulnerable riders to social services. These services include, but are not limited to, protecting Transportation Supervisors and Bus Operators, responding to motor vehicle accidents, rider and employee injuries, vandalism, and other offenses, while protecting District property and assets.
CCCSO has provided excellent services and has maintained a collaborative working relationship with the District. Staff looks forward to enhancing services to support employees, riders, and the public, such as coffee with a cop, potential ride along opportunities for District staff, participation in national night out, collaborative strategic planning to reduce transit worker assaults and other programs.
The performance of this contract and the effectiveness of CCCSO work is presented to the Board on a quarterly basis through the Protective Service Report. The District has implemented stringent oversight of the monthly invoices to catch any discrepancies or errors.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Continuing the contract with CCCSO for police services allows for the continuation of vital law enforcement services that are consistent and reliable with a dedicated officers specifically for transit related incidents.
If the contract is not renewed, the District will have to relay on phone calls to 911 when incidents occur. Given the size of our operating area, responses to local 911 law enforcement calls may be delayed, or no response may be provided at all, due to other competing 911 calls in the service area.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
District staff have considered reducing the number of CCCSO staff assigned to the contract; however, that would put Bus Operators, Transportation Supervisors, and the public at risk by not having adequate staffing for the service area. It would increase the response time to calls and limit law enforcement presence at layovers. Proactive community policing would be reduced, due to lower staff numbers and competing priorities for responding for calls to service.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Marla Blagg, Director of Safety, Security & Training
In Collaboration with:
Patricia Jacobson, Project Coordinator
Approved/Reviewed by:
Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
Aimee L. Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Marla Blagg, Director of Safety, Security & Training
Fred Walls, Director of Procurement and Materials