Board approves AB 109 transition‑services funding despite protests over deputy positions

The board approved item 77, a joint recommendation from the sheriff and the chief probation officer allocating AB 109 realignment funds to programs and services — including the Santa Rita Transition Center allocation — and authorized staffing additions tied to those services.

Board members asked for a cost breakdown: county staff said the two deputies would cost about $176,322 each including benefits (about $352,644 total) and that the two full‑time interns would cost about $55,793 each. Staff explained those deputies and interns would support movement and transition services for the realigned population, facilitating transfers and coordinating community‑based organization access to services.

One supervisor questioned why the deputies were funded out of the transition‑services pool rather than the $18 million set aside to address jail staffing for the AB 109 population; county staff said the $18 million was earmarked for in‑facility staffing and did not include transition services, which is why the Santa Rita allocation covers those positions. A supervisor expressed concern that the board was effectively adding deputies through the transition‑services line and said they would oppose if the logic were not clear.

After discussion the item was moved, seconded and approved with a 4–1 vote (one opposed). The board recorded the passage and the staff said the deputies would be funded from the Santa Rita Transition Center allocation; staff also noted that if the transition program stops, the need for those deputies would end.