Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Detention Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Contra Costa supervisors approve vendor contract for SCAP reimbursements after public objections
Summary
After extensive public comment, the Board of Supervisors separately voted to approve renewal of a county contract with Justice Benefits Inc. to prepare State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAP) reimbursement applications. Undersheriff Mike Kasten told the board the vendor compiles post‑conviction census data for fiscal reimbursements; community groups urged a fuller public presentation.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to renew a three‑year contract with Justice Benefits Incorporated that assists the sheriff’s office in compiling data and applying for State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAP) reimbursements.
Under Sheriff Mike Kasten, speaking for the sheriff’s office, said the contract is a fiscal mechanism used to recover jail‑operations costs. “This is just a way for the county to get revenue to reimburse for the services of having those subjects in our custody after they’re convicted,” Kasten said, describing how the vendor prepares census data the county submits for federal reimbursement.
Community members and immigrant‑rights groups had urged supervisors to pull the item from the consent calendar for full public discussion. Speakers repeatedly requested a formal presentation from the sheriff, saying the item raised concerns about whether county reporting might intersect with federal immigration enforcement. One commenter cited SB 54 and urged the board to ensure county policy does not facilitate ICE operations.
Board members framed the issue as two distinct questions: the legal/fiscal nature of the SCAP application (a county reimbursement program for convicted individuals) and whether the information flow could unintentionally create notification pathways to federal immigration authorities. Several supervisors recommended the sheriff report to the board at his next quarterly update on whether reimbursements could be submitted only for people released from custody to minimize perceived risk.
Supervisor Carlson moved, seconded by Supervisor Burgess, to approve item C120 by separate voice vote. The motion passed and the remainder of the consent calendar moved forward, with C34 and C90 handled as announced earlier.
The board asked the sheriff’s office to provide further clarification and procedural options at a future public report so supervisors could evaluate whether any procedural changes would reduce the risk of inadvertent notification while preserving the county’s ability to claim federal reimbursements.
