The Placer County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 9 to authorize a memorandum of understanding with California State University, Sacramento, to move forward on design and preconstruction for a Placer County forensic laboratory at the planned Placer Center campus.

District Attorney Morgan Geier told the board that delays in forensic testing “mean denial of access to justice” for victims, survivors and the accused and said the county has worked since 2015 and 2022 to take the next step. The board approved an appropriation of up to $2,500,000 for design and preconstruction work.

Sacramento State provost Dr. Erica Cameron and architecture director Tanya Nunez described the university’s role, saying the lab would accelerate investigations, provide hands‑on training for students and create a local pipeline of forensic professionals. “The region can’t afford to wait,” Cameron said during her presentation.

Sac State officials said the planned facility would be a teaching and service partnership, with benefits that include reduced turnaround for forensic testing, workforce development for criminal‑justice careers and potential cost savings over time. Board members pressed staff on timeline estimates; Sac State said an aggressive target was about three years from solicitation to doors opening.

Supervisors also discussed a related pilot lab concept and whether near‑term investments at other county facilities could stand in while the permanent building is constructed. County staff and the university said they would coordinate to avoid redundant spending and to maximize early operational benefits.

The vote authorizes the chair to sign a memorandum of agreement with the CSU Board of Trustees and to appropriate the previously authorized $2.5 million for design and preconstruction. The motion passed on a 5‑0 roll call; staff said the funds had been previously authorized but not spent and the item simply advances the project to the next step.