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Health and Human Services Agency, Veteran Services Program, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the California Department of Veterans Affairs “County Subvention Program Certificate of Compliance” and the “Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program Certificate of Compliance” for Fiscal Year 2021-22 for participation in each of these programs;
2) Authorize the County Veterans Service Officer to actively participate in the promotion of the California Veterans License Plate program under California Military and Veterans Code Section 972.1; and
3) Authorize the use of special interest license plate fees, in accordance with California Military and Veterans Code Section 972.2, which are deposited in a special revenue fund for extra help staffing in the Veterans Program.
FUNDING: 74% State subvention funding, 5% Federal Medi-Cal matching funds, and 21% License Plate Fees Special Revenue fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
State subvention funding is distributed, on a pro rata basis, to counties that establish and maintain a county Veterans Service Officer under the California Military and Veterans Code (CMVC) Section 972.1. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 estimated amount is $58,000. The California Department of Veteran Affairs obtains federal matching funds to contribute, on a pro rata basis, to counties as well. These funds are used to defray the salaries and expenses of county Veterans Service Officers for Medi-Cal related activities under CMVC Section 972.5. The FY 2021-22 estimated amount is $4,200.
Under CMVC Section 972.2, the County receives revenue from special interest license plate fees. These fees are deposited in a special revenue fund (SRF). The proposed use of these funds is to support extra help staffing in the Veteran Services Program. The FY 2021-22 estimated amount is $16,392.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve action items 1 and 2, the funding for the County Veterans Service Officer would be reduced by an estimated $62,200.
Should the Board decline to approve action item 3, the County would be unable to use the revenue (estimated at $16,392) from special interest license plate fees and the revenue would remain in the special revenue fund until the funds are approved for use.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 12-15-2020, 20-1438, HHSA FY 2020-2021 Veterans Affairs Annual Participation in Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance
2) 12-10-19, 19-1195, HHSA Veteran Affairs Participation in Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance
3) 11-20-2018, 18-1658, HHSA Veterans Affairs Annual Participation in Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance
4) 12-05-2017, 17-1233, Veteran Affairs-Annual Participation in Subvention & Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Programs
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In the FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget, the Veterans Service Officer position is budgeted at $79,602. Participation in the County Subvention Program, and the Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program ensures that El Dorado County receives State subvention funding (FY 2021-22 amount is estimated at $58,000) as well as Federal Medi-Cal matching funds (FY 2021-22 amount is estimated at $4,200) to help pay for this position.
In addition, by allowing the Veterans Service Officer to participate in the promotion of the California Veteran License Plate program, the license plate revenue (FY 2021-22 amount is estimated at $16,392) that is deposited into the Veterans Special Revenue Fund will be used for extra help staffing.
In the event these funds were not received, there would be an increase to Net County Cost in the amount of $62,200 to cover funding of the County Veterans Service Officer.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on three (3) original California Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Subvention Program Certificates of Compliance; and
2) Obtain signature of Chair on three (3) original California Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program Certificates of Compliance; and
3) Return two (2) fully executed originals of each Certificate of Compliance to the Health and Human Services Agency, Contracts Unit, at 3057 Briw Road, Placerville
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan: Good Governance
CONTACT
Don Semon, Health and Human Services Agency Director