MEETING DATE:
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9490 - AMENDMENT TO THE SPECIALIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES CONTRACT 6775 BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS AND THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF TO CLARIFY RESPONSIBILITY AND OVERSIGHT OF VEHICLES PURCHASED, LEASED, OR RENTED BY THE CITY AND OTHER AMENDMENTS TO SAID CONTRACT AS MAY BE NEEDED WHICH ARE WITHIN THE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY SET FORTH IN SAN MARCOS MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.30
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the current Law Enforcement Services agreement with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to clarify responsibility and oversight of vehicles purchased, leased, or rented by the City for the purposes of law enforcement and emergency response.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Quality of Life
Executive Summary
The City of San Marcos has contracted with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for general law and traffic enforcement services for many years. This partnership has proven highly effective in ensuring San Marcos remains one of the safest communities in the region.
As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to effectively serve the community, staff recommends clarifying the City’s responsibility and the City Manager’s oversight authority for vehicles acquired by the City for law enforcement use. The proposed amendment to the current law enforcement services agreement outlines that responsibility in order to enhance efficiency in the partnership between the City and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department., and to delegate to the City Manager the ability to amend the agreement as may be needed in future within the contracting authority set forth in Chapter 2.30 of the San Marcos Municipal Code. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment in order to provide the City Manager responsibility and oversight authority over such actions, as the representative of the City.
Discussion
The City of San Marcos relies on the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for comprehensive law enforcement services. While the Sheriff’s Department maintains a fleet of vehicles to serve the community, circumstances may arise where the City determines it is appropriate to acquire specialized vehicles to support enforcement, patrol, or emergency response. The use of the vehicle is to access remote areas within the city of San Marcos that are not reachable by patrol vehicles such as hills, open space areas, fire roads, and other similar areas not accessible by other vehicles, or in other circumstances where alternative utility vehicles would be preferred over a patrol vehicle. Under the proposed amendment, the City Manager will be delegated authority to oversee the acquisition, deployment, and use of such vehicles. Such vehicles will be designated exclusively for use by trained Sheriff’s personnel assigned to the San Marcos station, shall be used within City limits only and restricted to purposes consistent with the City’s law enforcement agreement.
This amendment will allow the City to be more efficient and agile in responding to evolving public safety needs. All vehicle and non-vehicle procurements in support of this Agreement will be conducted in accordance with the City's Purchasing Ordinance and other fiscal policies, and any such procurement exceeding the City Manager's purchasing authority, as established, will be presented to the City Council for consideration and approval. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment and delegation of authority to the City Manager to negotiate, finalize, and execute the amendment and all related documents.
Environmental Review
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 – 15387), and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed amendment.
Attachment(s)
Attachment 1: Resolution
Amendment
Prepared by: Janet Brotherton, Budget and Analysis Manager
Submitted by: Janet Brotherton, Budget and Analysis Manager
Reviewed by: Donna Apar, Finance Director
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager