Title
Planning and Building Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer increasing the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budgeted operating transfer by $20,000 from the Certified Access Specialist special revenue fund to the Building Division for costs associated with accessibility compliance. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: Business License Fees.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Planning and Building Department is requesting a budget transfer to increase the operating transfer from the Certified Access Specialist (CASp) special revenue fund to the Building division. The CASp Program was established to promote compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reduce the risk of accessibility-related lawsuits. It provides tools and resources for property owners and local governments to identify and address accessibility issues before they become legal liabilities.
The program is funded through a state-mandated $4 fee collected with each business license. Of this amount, the majority stays with the local jurisdiction to support services such as CASp plan review of projects, inspections, staff training, and public outreach on ADA compliance. The remaining portion is sent to the state to help fund the statewide CASp Program, overseen by the Division of the State Architect, that provides certification and resources.
Under the guidance of the new Chief Building Official, Don Knight, tracking and reporting of CASp related activities was reviewed and improvements made. County CASp related activities were previously underreported, but have now been updated to more accurately reflect actual time spent. Due to these changes, the Building Division CASp costs in Fiscal Year 2024-25 were higher than originally estimated and a budget transfer is necessary to fully reimburse Planning and Building.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the budget transfer. CASp activities not funded by the CASp special revenue fund would instead remain funded through other General Fund permit revenue sources.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the budget transfer will allow for the transfer of funds from a special revenue fund to the Planning and Building Department which will reduce the Net County Cost for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on the original budget transfer and will forward the budget transfer to the Auditor-Controller for processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Priority: N/A
Action Item: N/A
CONTACT
Karen Garner, Director, Planning and Building