This document is a communication from James R. Williams, the County Executive, to the Board of Supervisors regarding the recommended budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027 for departments under the Public Safety and Justice Committee. It outlines the departments included in the budget review.
Key points
The document is addressed to the Board of Supervisors.
It discusses the FY 2026-2027 Recommended Budget.
Departments included are the Office of the Sheriff, Office of the District Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, Justice Services and Support Department, Criminal Justice System-wide Costs, Probation Department, and Office of the Medical Examiner.
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County of Santa Clara Office of the County Executive 128908 DATE: May 12, 2026 TO: Board of Supervisors FROM: James R. Williams, County Executive SUBJECT: FY 2026-2027 Recommended Budget for Public Safety and Justice Committee Departments RECOMMENDED ACTION Review the County Executive's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Recommended Budget for departments reporting to the Public Safety and Justice Committee. a. Office of the Sheriff, including the Custody Bureau b. Office of the District Attorney c. Office of the Public Defender d. Justice Services and Support Department, formerly Office of Pretrial Services e. Criminal Justice System-wide Costs f. Probation Department g. Office of the Medical Examiner Board of Supervisors: Sylvia Arenas, Betty Duong, Otto Lee, Susan Ellenberg, Margaret Abe-Koga County Executive: James R. Williams Page 1 of 1
The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.
This document contains public comments opposing the proposed restructuring of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) oversight from the Office of the District Attorney to the Office of the County Executive. Commenters argue that the CAC has thrived under the current management, emphasizing its success in child protection and collaboration with law enforcement. They express concerns that changing the management could undermine trust and disrupt effective operations.
Key points
The CAC has been successful under the oversight of the District Attorney's Office.
Commenters believe the proposed change in management could erode trust with law enforcement and the community.
The CAC has received awards and recognition for its services since opening in 2021.
Concerns were raised about the potential negative impact of restructuring on the CAC's operations and effectiveness.
Limitations
The text includes placeholder sections that are not filled in, such as specific dates and agenda items.
The document appears to be a draft, as indicated by the informal formatting and lack of finalization.
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BoardOperations From: Sent: To: Subject: STEVE BARON Wednesday, May 6, 2026 8:17 PM BoardOperations [EXTERNAL] Keep Children’s Advocacy Center Under Management of Office of the DA Wri en comments for BOS mee ng on May 12, 1:30 p.m., regarding proposed restructuring of the Children’s Advocacy Center oversight by shi ing it from the Office of The District A orney to the Office of The County Execu ve. Posi on – opposed. The Children’s Advocacy Center under the oversight of the Office of The District A orney has become the jewel of child protec on from abuse and neglect in Santa Clara County. In four short years it has become a model for CAC‘s across the country for its’ state-of-the-art medical response, forensic interviewing, support services, and it’s extraordinary collabora on with law-enforcement which is the major source of referrals to the CAC, a collabora on grown by the trust law-enforcement has because of the DA’s connec on with the CAC. If the responsibility for opera on of the CAC is removed from the District A orney, under who’s oversight the CAC has thrived, and placed with the County Execu ve, whose reputa on for response to child abuse and neglect over previous years in...
Lieutenant Gary Buhay from the San Jose Police Department expresses opposition to the proposed management shift of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office to a new department under the County Executive’s Office. He emphasizes the importance of the established trust between law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office, which has been crucial for the CAC's success in serving child victims. Buhay argues that this change could undermine the collaborative efforts that have made the CAC effective and successful.
Key points
Lt. Gary Buhay opposes the management shift of the CAC.
The CAC has been successfully managed by the District Attorney’s Office.
Trust between the San Jose Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office is critical for the CAC's operations.
The CAC has received positive reviews from children and families.
Buhay has extensive experience in law enforcement and child survivor investigations.
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TO: Members of the Board of Supervisors FROM: Lt. Gary Buhay #3645 SUBJECT: Children’s Advocacy Center DATE: 05/07/2026 Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors, I am writing in opposition to the move of management of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) away from Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office (DAO), Victim Services, and into a new department overseen by the County Executive’s Office. For decades the County of Santa Clara, the allied police agencies and various advocacy groups needed a Child Advocacy Center (CAC). Issues in the past which included collaboration, trust and leadership blocked the path to a viable CAC. In 2021, the Santa Clara County CAC opened under the leadership of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, particularly the DAO Victim Services Office. The Victim Services Office works as a Co-Op with participating agencies, where the agencies are responsible for their own roles, but work together to share information and jointly service children who have been sexually and physically abused. The trust that the San Jose Police Department has with the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) is critical to the collaborative work at the CAC, over that...
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Correspondence from Paul Joseph, Chief of Police, San Jose Police Department
The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.
The correspondence from Paul Joseph, Chief of Police of the San Jose Police Department, expresses concerns about proposed budget cuts to the District Attorney's office. He highlights the potential negative impact on public safety, the effectiveness of law enforcement, and the administration of justice in San Jose. Joseph emphasizes the importance of attorney positions and Criminal Investigators in handling cases and maintaining community trust through transparency and communication.
Key points
Concerns about proposed cuts to the District Attorney's budget.
Fewer attorneys may lead to fewer prosecutions and impact public safety.
Criminal Investigators are essential for joint investigations and securing witness testimony.
Collaboration between the San Jose Police Department and the District Attorney's office is crucial for effective communication with the community.
Limitations
The document appears to be a draft as it contains incomplete information and formatting issues.
There are unresolved placeholders and missing details in the correspondence.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
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San José Police Department OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE May 7, 2026 Jeffrey F. Rosen District Attorney, County of Santa Clara 70 W. Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95110 Dear District Attorney Rosen, I wanted to share my concerns regarding our ability to provide public safety services in the City of San Jose should the proposed cuts to the District Attorney’s budget be enacted. Eliminating attorney positions obviously strikes at the very heart of your mission. With fewer attorneys to handle cases, you will be forced to triage the cases brought to you by law enforcement and ultimately act on fewer of those. Law enforcement is only effective if, once we do our job of identifying and arresting law violators, there are actual consequences for those arrestees. If a lack of resources forces you and your office to set certain prosecutions aside, we will struggle to make an impact on those areas no matter how many people we arrest. Survey after survey show that so-called “quality of life crimes” are the number one concern for our residents. I fear that these cases would be the ones that, out of necessity, would no longer result in criminal prosecutions. Similarly, Criminal Investigators in...
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Correspondence from Shane Palsgrove, Chief of Police, Morgan Hill Police Department
Shane Palsgrove, Chief of Police of the Morgan Hill Police Department, wrote to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors opposing the transfer of management of the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) from the District Attorney's Office to a new department under the County Executive's Office. He emphasizes the importance of the existing collaboration and trust between the police and the DA's office, which he believes is critical for the success of the CAC. Palsgrove argues that the CAC has been successful and that the proposed management change could undermine its achievements.
Key points
Shane Palsgrove opposes moving management of the CAC from the District Attorney's Office to the County Executive's Office.
The CAC was established in 2021 under the leadership of the DA's Victim Services Office.
Collaboration and trust between the police and the DA's office are crucial for the CAC's success.
The CAC has received positive reviews from children and families.
Palsgrove has extensive experience in law enforcement and urges the Board to reconsider the management change.
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MORGAN HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT May 7, 2026 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 70 West Hedding Street East Wing, 10% Floor San Jose, CA 95110 Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors, I am writing in opposition to the move of management of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) away from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office (DAO), Victim Services, and into a new department overseen by the County Executive’s Office. For decades, the County of Santa Clara, the allied police agencies, and various advocacy groups needed a Child Advocacy Center (CAC). Issues in the past, which included a lack of collaboration, trust, and leadership, blocked the path to a viable CAC. In 2021, the Santa Clara County CAC opened under the leadership of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, particularly the DAO Victim Services Office. The Victim Services Office works as a Co-Op with participating agencies, where the agencies are responsible for their own roles, but work together to share information and jointly service children who have been sexually and physically abused. The trust that the Morgan Hill Police Department has with the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) is critical...
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Correspondence from Scot Smithee, Chief of Police, Gilroy Police Department
Scot Smithee, Chief of Police of the Gilroy Police Department, expresses concerns in a letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding the proposed transfer of management of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office to a new department under the County Executive’s Office. He emphasizes the importance of the existing collaboration between the District Attorney’s Office and various agencies in serving children who have been abused, and warns that this change could undermine trust and negatively impact the CAC's success.
Key points
Scot Smithee is the Chief of Police of the Gilroy Police Department.
The letter addresses the Board of Supervisors regarding the management of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC).
The CAC was created in 2021 under the leadership of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Victim Services Office.
The Victim Services Office collaborates with various agencies to support children who have been abused.
Smithee expresses concern that moving management of the CAC could undermine established trust between agencies.
He highlights the CAC's success and positive feedback from children and families.
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Gilrop Police Department — Comm 6omeoso Records (408) 846-0300 City of Gilrop Fax (408) 846-0339 7301 Hanna Street Gilroy, California SCOT SMITHEE 95020-6129 Chief of Police May 8, 2026 Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors: It has come to my attention that you are considering moving the management of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) away from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office (DAO), Victim Services, and into a new department overseen by the County Executive’s Office. After years of not having this valuable asset, the District Attorney’s Office stepped up to help create the Santa Clara County CAC in 2021. It opened under the leadership of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Victim Services Office. The Victim Services Office works as a Co-Op with participating agencies, where the agencies are responsible for their own roles, but work together to share information and jointly service children who have been sexually and physically abused. The trust the Gilroy Police Department has with the District Attorney’s Office is critical to the collaborative work at the CAC. The great majority of children served by the CAC are there because of referrals...
This document contains public comments opposing the proposed transfer of management of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) from the District Attorney’s Victim Services Division to a new department under the County Executive’s Office. Multiple individuals, including professionals in child advocacy and former directors of CACs, express concerns that this change could undermine the trust and collaboration that have been built over the years, which are essential for the effective operation of the CAC. They emphasize the importance of maintaining the current leadership structure to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in the community.
Key points
Opposition to the transfer of CAC management from DA Victim Services to the County Executive’s Office.
Concerns about undermining trust and collaboration among agencies that serve abused children.
CAC opened in 2021 and has been successful under current leadership.
Comments from various professionals highlight the importance of the DA's Office in fostering cooperation among agencies.
The CAC is viewed as a critical resource for vulnerable children in Santa Clara County.
Limitations
The document includes multiple comments but lacks specific details about the proposed changes or the context of the budget workshop.
There are unresolved placeholders and missing information in the header sections.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
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From: To: Subject: Date: Marlene Sturm BoardOperations; Marlene Sturm; Sturm, Marlene [EXTERNAL] Children’s Advocacy Center – Budget Workshop May 12, Agenda Items 12b and 12d Sunday, May 10, 2026 9:18:03 AM 5/10/2026 Attention: Members of the Board of Supervisors Regarding: Children’s Advocacy Center – Budget Workshop May 12, Agenda Items 12b and 12d I am writing in opposition to the move of management of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) away from DA Victim Services, and into a new department overseen by the County Executive’s Office. I am the former Medical Director of the Medical Clinic at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Santa Clara County. Currently, I am working in the division of Child Abuse Pediatrics at CHOC, Children’s Hospital of Orange County; I am also working as a part-time physician contractor at the CAC. The comments below represent my personal opinion. In 2020, we developed the plan to open the Children’s Advocacy Center in collaboration with our colleagues at the DA’s Office, and with the support of SCVMC and County leadership, and the Board of Supervisors. During that year and since, I have traveled around California visiting CACs to understand the best...
This document contains public comments addressed to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors regarding the County Executive's FY 2026-2027 Recommended Budget for departments reporting to the Public Safety and Justice Committee. Various organizations express gratitude for the County's support of survivor services and advocate for the preservation and enhancement of programs that assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child advocacy. Specific concerns are raised about proposed changes to the Children's Advocacy Center and the South County Youth Task Force, emphasizing the importance of maintaining local oversight and funding for effective community support.
Key points
YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley expresses gratitude for the County's investment in survivor support services.
The document highlights the importance of community-based support services for survivors who may not seek justice through the criminal legal system.
Concerns are raised about the proposed move of the Children's Advocacy Center to a new office, arguing it may disrupt effective collaboration.
The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley urges the Board to reconsider funding reductions that would impact legal services for vulnerable children and youth.
Dr. Anisha Munshi, Superintendent of Gilroy Unified School District, advocates for keeping the South County Youth Task Force within the Office of the District Attorney to maintain its effectiveness and community connections.
Limitations
The document contains multiple public comments from different individuals and organizations, which may lead to a lack of coherence in the overall message.
Some sections of the text are truncated, which may omit important details or context.
There are unresolved placeholders and blank fields that affect the completeness of the summary.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
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May 11, 2026 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 70 West Hedding Street San José, CA 95110 SUBJECT: County Executive's FY 2026-2027 Recommended Budget for departments reporting to the Public Safety and Justice Committee Dear President and Honorable Members of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, On behalf of YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and the County of Santa Clara for your continued investment in supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking through the County Executive’s FY 2026–2027 Recommended Budget for departments reporting to the Public Safety and Justice Committee. As one of Santa Clara County’s longstanding providers of survivor support services and one of California’s earliest rape crisis centers, YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley deeply values the County’s commitment to multidisciplinary and collaborative service models that prioritize survivor safety, healing, and justice. These investments are critical in ensuring that survivors and their families can access comprehensive, trauma-informed care during some of the most...