Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to Accept the CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, appropriate $95,062.25 and approve Resolution No. 2025-59.
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Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city;
Police Lieutenant Celeste Sanchez, 559-4573, celeste.sanchez@visalia.city;
Police Sergeant Henry Martinez, 559-713-4232, henry.martinez@visalia.city;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 559-713-4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP), appropriate $95,062.25 and approve Resolution 2025-29.The Grant is effective for Fiscal Year 2025/26, July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Summary:
The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) provides funding to support and enhance ongoing enforcement efforts targeting alcohol and drug impaired driving. Although this Grant is funded through the Adult Use Marijuana Act (AUMA), it is not limited to marijuana related offenses and provides funding for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement and training.
For Fiscal Year 2025-26, the Visalia Police Department was awarded $95,062.25. These funds will be used to support overtime staffing for 15 DUI Saturation Patrols and to backfill officer vacancies when personnel attend essential DUI enforcement trainings such as Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) and Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection and Enforcement (ARIDE) courses.
This Grant also allows the Department’s DUI operations to expand beyond the scope of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant that was awarded in September 2024. This will allow for additional DUI enforcement operations and training opportunities, complementing and expanding upon the resources already secured through the STEP Grant.
Background Discussion:
The CHP Grant provides financial assistance to agencies for the education, prevention, and the enforcement of laws related to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The intent of the program is to educate the public regarding the dangers of impaired driving, enforce impaired driving laws on the roadway, and improve the agency’s effectiveness through training and development of new strategies. Public education strategies include social media posts and press releases relating to the dangers of impaired driving and upcoming Department DUI enforcement operations. Education efforts will also include presentations at local schools and community events to inform future drivers of the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Funding for the Grant passed Proposition 64 in 2016, The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use Marijuana Act (AUMU); pursuant to Section 34019(f)(3)(B) Revenue and Taxation Code. The CHP adopted regulations within Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Division 2 by adding Chapter 13 which governs this Grant.
Fiscal Impact:
The entire CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant amount of $95,062.25 will be used for overtime and 7.5% for benefits. The police overtime budget will be adjusted as necessary, and the Grant Agreement will be executed upon approval by the City of Visalia Council.
Prior Council Action: Authorized to Apply.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not accept the Grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) and appropriate $95,062.25 and approve Resolution No. 2025-29.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 7/21/2025
Attachments: Award Letter; State of CA Grant Agreement and itemized budget, and Resolution.