For City Council Meeting November 10, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Accept the FY2026-2027 California Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) Growth Allocation of $163,036.00; (2) Adopt Resolution No. 8584 Amending the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget; and (3) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute All Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council
1) Accept the FY2026-2027 California Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) allocation of $163,036.00; and
2) Adopt a Resolution amending the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget; and
3) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all documents.
BACKGROUND
The County of San Bernardino Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector has allocated California Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) funding to the City of Rialto Police Department on a per capita basis in the amount of $163,036.00. The State of California passed through the County of San Bernardino a Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) growth payment in the amount of $163,036.00.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Guidelines regulating the use of COPS funding specify that it must be used solely for front-line law enforcement services. Front-line police services are not specifically defined but include technology needs. This allocation must supplement existing services and cannot be used to supplant any existing funding for police services.
Each county must create a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund Committee (SLESF) before applying for funds. California Department of Finance requires this committee to be composed of the following officials: one Police Chief, the County Sheriff, the District Attorney, the County’s Executive Officer, and one City Manager. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have already established an oversight committee by resolution.
The City of Rialto Police Department will use the funding allocation of $163,036 for technology, communication and needed equipment and services for frontline law enforcement personnel. The purchase of equipment and services will allow the department to enhance its overall frontline efficiency, effectiveness, and safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposal is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto’s General Plan has outlined guiding principles and goals relating to public safety. This action is consistent with the City of Rialto’s General Plan Guiding Principle 1, “Rialto is a Family First Community.”
Our neighborhoods will be a safe place to call home.
Approval of this action is also consistent with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal and Policies:
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
Policy 5-8.4: Initiate proactive crime suppression and prevention strategies throughout the community.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
The Rialto Police Department has been allocated $163,036.00 through the California Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS). This allocation will increase revenues in the amount of $163,036.00 in the Citizens’ Option Public Safety Fund Account No. 22146994 47547 27COP-31. Offsetting expenditures of the same amount will increase expenditures in the Citizens’ Option Public Safety Fund Account No. 22146994 53030 27COP-07 for the purchase of technology, equipment, and services for the Police Department.
This grant does not require a local match.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
ATTACHMENTS
1. FY 2026-2027 COPS Annual Award Letter
2. Budget Resolution