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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Approve the County Veterans Affairs Commission’s (VAC) recommendation for the utilization of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 General Fund Contribution to the VAC;
2) Approve and authorize the HHSA Director or Chief Assistant Director to execute seven funding-out agreements with various organizations supporting veterans, and to distribute the FY 2026-27 funds in the total amount of $175,000, as recommended by the VAC on August 13, 2026, contingent upon approval of County Counsel and Risk Management; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director or Chief Assistant Director to execute further documents relating to these agreements, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, as applicable, including amendments that do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the agreements.
FUNDING: 100% VAC General Fund Contribution.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On March 19, 2013, the Board approved a recommendation to establish an annual allocation of Discretionary Transient Occupancy Tax (DTOT) funds, beginning with the FY 2013-14 budget, for the purpose of funding projects, programs, and services that directly benefit the support and recognition of veterans in El Dorado County (Legistar file 13-0280). On an annual basis, the Board has approved the VAC recommendations for the utilization of funding during each subsequent fiscal year. Prior to July 1, 2018, County Veteran Services (VS) had been administratively supported by the Chief Administrative Office, and funds were distributed according to the VAC directly from the General Fund. Effective July 1, 2018, VS transitioned to HHSA and DTOT funding is included in a VAC Special Revenue Fund budget. The annual allocation amount for the support and recognition of veterans was set at a fixed rate beginning with FY 2020-21 and currently receives an annual allocation of $175,000.
The annual allocation of $175,000 is included in the FY 2026-27 County budget. The $175,000 allocation is comprised of $133,581 in FY 2026-27 General Fund contribution to the VAC and $41,419 in VAC Special Revenue Fund balance. On August 13, 2026, the VAC voted (minutes approved September 10, 2026) on the FY 2026-27 $175,000 fund distribution, and intends to allocate $78,000 to various organizations to provide support to veterans, as well as $37,197 to fund a 0.50 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Office Assistant position for VS, with the remaining $59,803 allocated to the El Dorado Community Foundation for $56,812.85 in mini-grants for services for veterans and $2,990.15 for a five percent administrative fee.
The VAC recommendation for full utilization of the FY 2026-27 allocation is as follows:
1) Agreement 10613, Military Family Support Group - $19,000 for outreach and supportive services.
2) Agreement 10614, El Dorado County Veterans Alliance - $10,000 for costs associated with coordinating and conducting Memorial Day and Veterans Day events at the Veterans Monument.
3) Agreement 10615, Sierra Chaplaincy - $4,000 for chaplains’ visits, officiating at military funerals, and grief counseling.
4) Agreement 10616, Snowline Hospice - $15,000 for hospice custodial care and medical equipment.
5) Agreement 10618, Lake Tahoe Community College - $8,000 for books, materials, and resources at campus Veteran Resource Centers, and improvements to the Veteran Resource Center.
6) Agreement 10620, Food Bank of El Dorado County - $22,000 for the No Vet Goes Hungry Program.
7) Agreement 10621, El Dorado Community Foundation - $56,812.85 for mini-grants and $2,990.15 for a five percent administration fee.
8) $37,197 for the 0.50 FTE El Dorado County Veteran Services Office Assistant position.
HHSA is bringing this item before the Board to recommend approval of the final FY 2026-27 VAC recommendation dated August 13, 2026, and to recommend approval to execute the Funding Out Agreements listed above. The funding decisions of the VAC are intended to provide a valuable public service, in that it will help to support, train, and honor veterans, and to celebrate their contributions to their country and to the people of El Dorado County. Should the funds not be expended in the current FY, the funds would roll over to the next FYs until they are expended. Following Board approval, HHSA will finalize all funding-out agreements, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
Upon transfer of the FY 2026-27 allocation into the VAC Special Revenue Fund, the funding available is estimated to be a total of $255,343 comprising of approximately $80,343 in unallocated funds, approximately $137,803 for distribution to community partners for FY 2026-27 in the form of grants to support local veterans, and $37,197 inclusive of prior year unspent allocation to support the 0.50 FTE Veteran Services Office Assistant position.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve and authorize this recommendation, HHSA would be unable to implement the Veterans Affairs Commission Plan as listed herein.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) 03/19/2013 Legistar file 13-0280, CAO Agreement with El Dorado Community Foundation for distribution of TOT funds in support of Veterans Services
2) 06/20/2023 Legistar file 22-2192, HHSA VA TOT Mini-Grants 22/23
3) 10/17/2023 Legistar file 23-1651, HHSA VA TOT Annual Grants FY 23/24
4) 03/11/2025 Legistar file 24-1826, HHSA VA TOT Annual Grant FY 24/25
5) 03/03/2026 Legistar file 25-1819, HHSA VA TOT Annual Grants FY 25/26
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Veterans Affairs Commission
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The funding contribution to the Veterans Affairs Commission was approved by the Board as part of the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget and is included in the HHSA Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency