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APPROVE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM AWARD FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $976,853
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept a Tobacco Grant Program award from the California Department of Justice, in the amount of $976,853.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the grant agreement and all related documents necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the grant award.
3. Amend the FY 2025-26 Annual Budget to increase the Police Grants & Special Programs revenue and expenditure appropriations by $976,853.
It is further recommended that the City Manager, or designee, take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) seeks Council approval to accept grant funding from the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program.
The $976,853 award provides funding to support law enforcement efforts to reduce illegal retail sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth. The funding will allow SPD to expand the high-performing Tobacco Enforcement Operations conducted by the Special Investigations Team (VICE). The grant will fund necessary equipment and overtime for staff to conduct operations.
The $976,853 award will be available for a period of over three years, and no local match is required (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution).
DISCUSSION
Background
The Tobacco Grant Program funding is authorized under the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. An estimated $28.5 million in grant funding was made available for FY 2025-26 through FY 2028-29. This program funds the following activities:
• Enforcing state tobacco laws and local ordinances, including the statewide flavor ban through retailer inspections and enforcement operations.
• Consumer protection enforcement (investigations and prosecution).
• Compliance checks of tobacco retailers and online services that deliver tobacco products.
• Task force coordination among local agencies.
• Retailer education and diversion for retailers violating state tobacco laws.
• Education for enforcement officers regarding state tobacco laws and local ordinances.
In June 2025, SPD submitted an application for the Tobacco Grant Program to fund the Special Investigations Team Tobacco Enforcement Operations. The application emphasized key data points, including:
• The City’s smoking rates exceed the statewide average.
• Nearly 32 percent of the City population is under the age of 21.
• 111 of the City’s 274 tobacco retailers operate within one thousand feet of a school.
Present Situation
In November 2025, the California Department of Justice Attorney General’s Office notified SPD that the agency was selected to receive a Tobacco Grant Program award in the amount of $976,853.
Grant funds will be used to combat sales and advertising of tobacco and e-cigarette products to minors through decoy operations, shoulder tap operations, and undercover purchases.
To accept the grant funds, City Council must authorize a resolution that accepts the grant award, approves execution of the grant agreement, and appropriates the corresponding revenues and expenditures within the Police Department’s Special Grants account.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The Tobacco Grant Program award provides $976,853 in funding for over three years beginning November 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029. There is no local match requirement, and there is no impact to the General Fund.
Grant revenue and expenditure appropriations will be added to the FY 2025-26 Police Special Grants Fund Budget as follows:
• Revenue appropriation of $976,853 to the FY 2025-26 Tobacco Grant Program in the Police Department Special Grants, Support Services Division account.
• Expenditure appropriation of $976,853 to the FY 2025-26 Tobacco Grant Program in the Police Department Special Grants, Support Services Division account.