Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Veteran Services Program, recommending the Board:
1) Find that a public benefit is derived in reimbursing Fleet Reserve Association (Branch 275) in the amount of $600 and reimbursing Veterans of Foreign Wars (Camerado Post 10165) in the amount of $600, for unrealized estimated donations for fundraising breakfasts that the organizations cancelled due to the Veterans Memorial Building’s parking lot being used as a staging center to fight the Caldor Fire in September 2021; and
2) Approve and authorize HHSA to pay $600 to Fleet Reserve Association (Branch 275) and pay $600 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Camerado Post 10165) for reimbursement of unrealized donations as described in Attachment B and Attachment C.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Caldor Fire started in the County on August 14, 2021. On August 27, 2021, the County and the United States Department of Agriculture, El Dorado National Forest, entered into a non-financial Emergency Facilities & Land Use Agreement (Agreement) for a term retroactive to August 17, 2021 through September 18, 2021 to use the parking lot at the Veteran Memorial Building as a staging area for firefighting efforts for the Caldor Fire. Due to the Agreement, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) had to cancel their respective fundraising breakfasts, scheduled in September at the Veterans Memorial Building. As a result, anticipated funding which would have been used to support veterans, in the amount of $600, was not realized by each organization (a total of $1,200). Funding revenue for both groups is very limited and supporting the decision to approve this item will enable both Veterans groups to continue to operate without reducing services to Veterans.
A similar situation occurred in 2014 during the King Fire. The Veteran Memorial Building and parking lots were being used by emergency responders fighting the King Fire. FRA and VFW each requested and the Board approved reimbursement of donations lost due to the cancellation of their respective scheduled fundraising breakfasts (Legistar item 15-0679, June 23, 2015).
Lastly, a similar situation occurred during the March 2010 Power Outage Emergency. Pacific Gas & Electric agreed to pay the County the sum of $4,200 for the use of the Veterans Building and parking lots. After the County Auditor received the funds, they were transferred to the Veteran Services Office (previously referred to as Veteran Affairs Department) budget with directions to be used by the Veterans House Committee.
Approval by the Board provides the finding that a public benefit is derived from supporting this endeavor that seeks to make FRA and VFW whole from the loss of anticipated donations.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to decline to approve FRA’s and VFW’s requests to be made whole for unrealized donations due to not being able to host their respective scheduled fundraising events.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
06-23-2015, File ID 15-0679, 06/23/15 Veterans Affairs - Reimbursement of Veteran Organizations for King Fire Use of Veterans' Building
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approving this agenda item would provide the organizations a total of $1,200 in General Fund dollars. At this time, a Budget Transfer Request is not needed as there are currently sufficient savings in the Veterans Affairs budget for this expense. However, HHSA will return to the Board with a budget transfer request, should it be determined that there are insufficient savings to cover the cost of these two payments.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Good Governance and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency