Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Budget Transfer Request to process the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) allocation for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 (based on Fiscal Year 2017-2018 TOT actuals) to Veteran Affairs Commission approved projects, decreasing the General Fund Contribution for Special Projects by $205,770, and increasing the Veteran Affairs Special Revenue Fund by $205,770 (4/5 vote required);
2) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute eight (8) Agreements; 3978, 3979, 3981, 3982, 3986, 3987, 3988, and 3989 to distribute the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Transient Occupancy Tax funds as recommended by the Veteran Affairs Commission; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreements 3978, 3979, 3981, 3982, 3986, 3987, 3988, and 3989, including amendments that do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: 100% Transient Occupancy Tax / General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On March 19, 2013, the Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation to establish an annual allocation beginning with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14 budget in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the TOT Revenue collected pursuant to County Ordinance Code Section 3.28.030, for the purpose of funding projects, programs, and services that directly benefit the support and recognition of Veterans in the County of El Dorado.
Legistar #13-0280, versions 1 through 7, includes the historical submission of the Veterans Commission recommendations to use TOT funding beginning August 27, 2013, for FY 2013-14. Thereafter, the Board approved the Veterans Commission recommendation for utilization of funding for FY 2014-15, on January 27, 2015; FY 2015-16, on February 23, 2016; on FY 2016-17, on March 21, 2017; and FY 2017-18 on December 13,2018.
The Veterans Affairs Commission voted on January 10, 2019 to allocate the FY 2018-19 TOT funds in the amount of $205,770; $189,770 to various organizations to provide support to Veterans, $73,770 to support the Veterans Mini-Grant Program, and $16,000 toward an Extra-Help Intern position. The Veterans Mini-Grant program will be administered by the El Dorado Community Foundation through Agreement #3978, to provide grants to local veteran service offices or non-profit veteran service organizations to support their missions. Applications for funding are evaluated by the Veterans Affairs Commission. As the fiscal administrator of the Mini-Grant program, El Dorado Community Foundation will collect a management fee of $3,688.50, or 5% of $73,770.
Historically, Veteran Affairs (VA) had been administratively supported by the CAO and these funds were distributed according to the Veteran Affairs Commission Plan directly from the General Fund. Effective July 1, 2018, VA transitioned to the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). For HHSA to effectively budget and track the TOT disbursements according to the approved VA Commission Plan, HHSA is recommending this transfer of the TOT allocations to the VA Special Revenue Fund (org 4270700).
The funding will provide a valuable public service, in that it will help to support, train, and honor veterans and to celebrate their contributions to their county and to the people of the County of El Dorado.
If these funds are not expended in the fiscal year, the funds should roll over to the next fiscal year(s) until they are expended.
The programs that are recommended for FY 2018-19 by the Veterans Affairs Commission are the following:
1) #3978 El Dorado Community Foundation - $73,770
Veterans Mini-Grant Program funding is to provide grants to local veteran service offices or non-profit veteran service organizations to support their missions.
2) #3979 Friends of the Veterans Monument - $10,000
Funding is to cover upkeep of the El Dorado County Veterans Monument and costs related to the Memorial and Veterans Day events.
3) #3981 Lake Tahoe Community College District - $18,000
Funding is to be provided to South Lake Tahoe Community College to provide books and resources at each campus Veteran Resource Center.
4) #3982 Los Rios Community College District - $40,000
Veteran Resource Center - $5,000
Funding is to provide books and resources at each campus Veteran Resource Center.
Veteran Education Transition Resource Center Program - $35,000
Funding is to provide assistance for veterans transitioning out of the military to locate information on, understand, and obtain the resources and benefits they are entitled to, particularly their education benefits. Funding may also be provided for the purchase of books and materials necessary for veterans attending classes.
5) #3986 Military Family Support Group - $8,000
Funding is to Military Family Support Group and Outreach and Supportive Services to help meet the needs of veterans and/or their families in El Dorado County. These needs may include special projects, short term financial help, PTSD awareness events and community outreach.
6) #3987 Snowline Hospice of El Dorado County - $25,000
Funding is to provide veterans with hospice custodial care and medical equipment through Snowline Hospice.
7) #3988 Only Kindness Inc. - $12,000
Funding is to provide supportive services and assistance to veterans, especially homeless veterans who do not meet the eligibility criteria of other funding.
8) #3989 Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy - $3,000
Funding is to provide chaplains visits to veterans in the hospital, palliative care, transitional care center, and in their homes. Sierra Chaplaincy may officiate at military funerals and provide grief counseling to surviving family members.
El Dorado County Department of Veteran Affairs Student Intern - $16,000
Funding is to provide El Dorado County Department of Veterans Affairs a student intern, so he/she can receive training to help veterans obtain benefits.
Following Board approval, HHSA-Contracts Unit will finalize the above agreements, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, and submit to CAO for final execution.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve and authorize this Budget Transfer Request, HHSA would be unable to implement the VA Commission Plan as listed herein above.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) #13-0280, versions 1 through 7, includes the historical submission of the Veterans Commission recommendations to use TOT funding beginning August 27, 2013, for FY 2013-14. Thereafter, the Board approved the Veterans Commission recommendation for utilization of funding for FY 2014-15, on January 27, 2015; FY 2015-16, on February 23, 2016; FY 2016-17, on March 21, 2017.
2) 07/17/14, 14-1016 CAO- Amend. I to Agreement with El Dorado Community Foundation for distribution of TOT funds in support of Veterans Services.
3) 09/25/18, 18-1341 HHSA Funding #3330 El Dorado Community Foundation - VA Mini-Grants.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval and authorization of this Budget Transfer Request would result in a decrease in General Fund Contribution for Special Projects by $205,770, and an increase the Veteran Affairs Special Revenue of $205,770.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain signature of the Chair on the attached Budget Transfer Request and submit to the Auditor-Controller's Office for processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency