San Bruno council adopts ordinance allowing recovery of emergency DUI response costs

The San Bruno City Council on May 12 unanimously approved an ordinance adding a municipal cost‑recovery program for emergency responses to driving‑under‑the‑influence incidents.

Police Chief Matt Laffine and Police Management Analyst Joanne Veil Cruz introduced the ordinance (proposed Chapter 3.41) as the first step in a legislative process that will require final adoption language to be included in the municipal code. Staff told the council the San Bruno Police Department responds to about 39 DUI‑related accidents per year and provided an example of a recent incident in which police payroll alone cost the city $788 for 12 hours on scene; that figure did not include benefits, equipment use, testing or other recoverable expenses.

The ordinance as presented identifies recoverable costs to include personnel time (salary and benefits), equipment use and damage, testing, investigation and report writing, certain medical transport when qualifying, booking and related investigation time. Veil Cruz stressed that state law and case law limit recoverable items to those directly associated with the immediate incident response; post‑booking time, court testimony and contracted ambulance costs were cited as examples of nonrecoverable expenses.

Staff explained the proposed process: police and finance would calculate costs per incident, issue a bill within 30 days, and pursue collections for unpaid balances; when minors are involved, parents or guardians would be responsible. Council members asked whether similar programs exist elsewhere; staff said other San Mateo County jurisdictions have adopted comparable cost‑recovery practices and that San Bruno had previously implemented a recovery practice but had not memorialized it in the municipal code.

Council member Hamilton moved to approve the ordinance as read; the motion carried 5–0. City staff said the ordinance will enable the city to recover a greater share of direct costs tied to DUI emergency responses and reduce the fiscal burden on the general fund.