Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve and Authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 029-2024 accepting grant funds in the amount not to exceed $125,000 for the El Dorado County Drought Resilience Plan (DRP) from the California Department of Water Resources;
2) Approve and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to sign the Funding Agreement Between the State of California Department of Water Resources and El Dorado County for the El Dorado County Drought Resilience Plan, contingent on approval from County Counsel, and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to approve and execute any amendments that do not change the dollar amount of said Agreement, contingent on approval from County Counsel;
3) Ratify the acceptance of the County Drought Resilience Planning Assistance Program grant award letter; and
4) Approve and Authorize the Chair to sign a Budget Transfer increasing State revenue and increasing contributions to non-County government agencies in the CAO DRP special revenue fund in the amount of $125,000.
FUNDING: County Drought Resilience Planning Assistance Program grant funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 552 Requirements for Counties
Under Senate Bill 552, passed and signed in September 2021, State and local governments will share the responsibility in preparing for and acting in the case of a water shortage event. The bill outlines the new requirements for small water suppliers, county governments, State of California Department Water Resources (DWR), and the State Water Resources Control Board to implement more proactive drought planning and be better prepared for future water shortage events or dry years.
Through SB 552, the California State Legislature identified counties as the best-suited government entity to provide the needed leadership to improve water resilience for state small water systems and domestic wells. Accordingly, each county, per SB 552, is required to:
1) Establish and convene a standing drought task force to facilitate drought and water shortage preparedness for state small water systems (serving 5 to 14 connections), domestic wells, and other privately supplied homes within the county’s jurisdiction.
2) Develop a plan demonstrating the potential drought and water shortage risk and proposed interim and long-term solutions for state small water systems and domestic wells within the county.
Status of SB 552 Implementation in El Dorado County
On February 22, 2022 (item 22-0202), the Board approved El Dorado County Water Agency (EDWA) to lead this effort given their role as a countywide water resource planning agency and their past engagement in the DWR County Drought Advisory Group that developed the basis for the SB 552 legislation and participation in the development of DWR’s SB 552 implementation program.
EDWA has established and convened the required standing drought task force and is in the process of developing the required county drought plan. The intent of the plan is to achieve meaningful and long-term improvements in water resilience for its residents by making small water suppliers and domestic wells more resilient to future drought and water shortage emergency events.
State Funding to Implement SB 552
On September 26, 2023 (item 23-1392) the Board approved the grant application for the Drought Resiliency Planning Grant Program through the DWR for grant funds up to $125,000 to be used for the completion of the El Dorado County Drought Resilience Plan and continue with the efforts of the County Drought and Water Shortage Task Force. This grant opportunity would provide sufficient funding for both purposes.
On January 23, 2024, the County received an award letter from DWR for grant funding not to exceed the amount of $125,000 and the County was given 14 calendar days to accept the award. The Chief Administrative Office accepted the award on behalf of the County within the 14 day deadline in order to avoid risking loss of the funding, and is requesting that the Board ratify the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer’s signature on the acceptance of the award letter dated January 23, 2024.
Since only counties are allowed to apply for this grant, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and EDWA is currently under review and will define the roles and responsibilities of both parties for the completion of the grant project, submission of grant reports and invoices to DWR, and the reimbursement of grant-funded project costs. The MOU will be recommended for approval by the Board on a subsequent item.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to accept the grant funding and use General Fund for the development of the Drought Resilience Plan and other county-related SB 552 requirements.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
9/26/2023 item 23-1392 - Approval of DRP grant application
2/22/2022 item 22-0202 - Designation of EDWA to develop the El Dorado County Drought Resilience Plan
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Council - review and approval
El Dorado County Water Agency
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this item as there is no cost-share/match requirements for these grant funds.
A budget transfer is being requested to allow for the transfer of grant funds to EDWA.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon Board adoption and approval, please do the following:
1) Resolution: Obtain the Board Chair signature and email a copy of the executed Resolution to Carla Hass and Central Fiscal.
2) Budget transfer: Obtain the Board Chair signature and forward the original to the Auditor’s office for review and processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Carla Hass, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer