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Chief probation officer says proposed state formula would raise county funding floor and restore incentives; local programs rely on the change
Summary
Chief Probation Officer Eisen Locatelli briefed supervisors on expected changes to the SB 678 funding formula and said the governor’s draft would set a higher base and restore incentives and cost‑of‑living adjustments, which would help Mendocino County sustain probation programs including transition‑aged youth and drug court officers.
Chief Probation Officer Eisen Locatelli told the Board of Supervisors that changes to the state’s SB 678 funding formula are expected from the governor’s administration and that Mendocino County will likely see a higher funding floor and restored incentive payments.
Background: SB 678 (and later AB 109) established funding intended to support evidence‑based probation supervision and reduce felony probationers’ returns to state prison. Locatelli, who chairs the Adult Services Committee for the Chief Probation Officers of California, said the earlier SB 678 floor was $200,000 for all counties; under the draft changes he described, the new formula would restore 85% of the county’s frozen amount and add a cola mechanism so that funding tracks inflation.
Local impact: Locatelli said Mendocino County’s frozen formula was $592,000, so an 85% floor on that frozen amount is substantially higher than the prior $200,000 floor. He also said the incentive payment for a conviction or prison diversion previously paid $12,000 per case and would be adjusted to $17,000 after applying inflation. Locatelli said the proposed changes would support local programs currently dependent on SB 678 funds, including a transition‑aged youth officer and officers assigned to behavioral health court and adult drug court.
Why it matters: Locatelli framed the funding changes as restoring sustainability and incentives for evidence‑based probation practices that reduce recidivism and state prison admissions. He urged support from the board for the proposed language in the state budget process and said he would ask local legislators to back the change.
Ending Locatelli said he would present the AB 109 budget on April 22 and is tracking the governor’s language and the legislative process; he asked the board to consider supporting county positions with state representatives if needed.
