Agenda

Return

C.105

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Robin Lipetzky, Public Defender
Date:	August 7, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Reimbursement of criminal defense witness travel and food expenses

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 08/07/2018

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

ABSENT:

Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor

Contact:

Joanne Sanchez-Rosa, 925-865-8065

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: August 7, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller to pay up to $1,000 in reimbursements to criminal defense witnesses for travel and food expenses incurred on April 22, 2018 through June 30, 2018.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This cost is to be funded through the Public Defender’s budget. 100% General Fund.

BACKGROUND:

It is often necessary in providing support to clients of the Public Defender to bring witnesses in from out-of-county or out-of-state and pay the travel, food and lodging costs of these witnesses. Many of these individuals do not have the money to pay for their travel expenses and seek reimbursement; therefore, the Office of the Public Defender must be ready in every case to reimburse witnesses. Meal rate and travel/mileage reimbursement would be aligned with Expense Reimbursement Management Bulletin 204.13 and the current IRS mileage reimbursement rates will be applied.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Failure to approve this request will result in the Public Defender’s Office being unable to reimburse witnesses for their travel expenses when providing vital support for criminal trials. This may reduce the willingness and availability of key defense witnesses, which could adversely affect the case outcome.