Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter to members of El Dorado County's representatives in the California Assembly and Senate and to Governor Newsom's office regarding direct funding to counties; and
2) Authorize the County to send, with the Chair's signature, any future letters regarding funding for counties and county programs as relates to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On April 15, 2020, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) wrote county CAOs urging them to submit letters to their respective representatives in Congress addressing counties' needs in pending coronavirus relief legislation. CSAC, and the Chair's letter to Senators Feinstein and Harris and Representative McClintock, asked for increased Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funding, as well as provisions for counties of all sizes to receive funding directly.
Staff is seeking approval to send a similar letter to the County's representatives in the California Assembly and Senate and to Governor Newsom's office, advocating that California counties critically need the following to address unprecedented demands on services and rapidly eroding revenues due to COVID-19:
• State allocation of $1.1 billion residual CARES Act funds based on direct services responsibilities (80% to counties <500k population on a countywide per capita basis)
• State backfill of Sales Tax Layaway Program
• Immediate authority to waive property tax delinquencies caused by COVID-19
• Protections and mitigations for 1991 and 2011 Realignment programs and funding
• State/County development and implementation of cash flow solutions to address short-term needs
Staff is also recommending that the Board provide approval for staff to proceed with future letters of support and/or advocacy which are in line with the request for county funding, as approved in prior letters and in this recommended action. This approval will allow for a quick response when requested or necessary.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to direct changes to the draft letter, or could choose to not send a letter on this matter. The Board could also direct that any future communications be brought to the Board for approval.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no immediate financial impact resulting from the action. However, counties will benefit from any direct funding secured through efforts.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety, Good Governance
CONTACT
Don Ashton, Chief Administrative Officer