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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Approve the updated Veterans Affairs Commission recommendation for utilization of the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) allocation dated February 10, 2022;
2) Approve and authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, contingent upon approval of County Counsel and Risk Management, to execute an agreement with the El Dorado Community Foundation to distribute the remaining Fiscal Year 2021-22 Transient Occupancy Tax funds for mini-grants in the amount of $76,000, as recommended by the Veterans Affairs Commission on February 10, 2022; and
3) Authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, to execute further documents relating to the Agreement, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, including amendments that do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the agreement.
FUNDING: Transient Occupancy Tax.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On March 19, 2013 (Legistar item 13-0280), the Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation to establish an annual allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax funds, beginning with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14 Budget, for the purpose of funding projects, programs, and services that directly benefit the support and recognition of Veterans in the County of El Dorado. On an annual basis, the Board has approved the Veterans Affairs Commission recommendations for utilization of funding during each subsequent fiscal year. Prior to July 1, 2018, Veteran Affairs (VA) had been administratively supported by the Chief Administrative Office, and funds were distributed according to the Veterans Affairs Commission directly from the General Fund. Effective July 1, 2018, VA transitioned to the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and is included in the department budget in a VA Special Revenue Fund. The annual allocation amount for the support and recognition of Veterans was set at a fixed rate beginning with FY 2020-21, and currently receives an annual allocation of $175,000.
For the FY 2021-22 TOT fund distribution, the Veterans Affairs Commission voted on October 14, 2021 (minutes approved November 18, 2021), to allocate the funds in the amount of $119,000: $98,000 to various organizations to provide support to Veterans, and $21,000 to fund the position of a Veteran Services Office General Trainee. The funding decisions are intended to 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. Should the funds not be expended in the current fiscal year, the funds would roll over to the next fiscal year(s) until they are expended.
On February 10, 2022, (minutes approved March 10, 2022) the Veterans Affairs Commission voted to update the TOT annual grants to remove the Folsom Lake College request, as no funding would be needed this fiscal year, and to allocate the remaining FY 2021-22 TOT funds in the amount of $76,000 to the El Dorado Community Foundation for mini-grants, including a 5% administrative fee to the El Dorado Community Foundation.
As a result, on March 8, 2022 (Legistar item 22-0200), the Board of Supervisors approved the Veterans Affairs Commission recommendation for utilization of the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) allocation to the Veterans Affairs Commission as follows:
1) Folsom Lake College for books and resources at campus Veteran Resource Centers (This request was rescinded by Folsom Lake College and no funding was included in the March 8, 2022 board item)
2) Lake Tahoe College $10,000 for books and resources at campus Veteran Resource Centers
3) Snowline Hospice $25,000 for hospice custodial care and medical equipment
4) El Dorado County Veterans Alliance (formerly Friends of the Veterans Monument) $10,000 for costs related to Memorial and Veterans Day events
5) Sierra Chaplaincy $5,000 for chaplains visits, officiate at military funerals and grief counseling
6) Military Family Support Group $8,000 for outreach and supportive services
7) Only Kindness Inc. $12,000 for assistance and supportive services
8) El Dorado County Food Bank $5,000 for No Vet Goes Hungry Program
9) Lake Tahoe Veterans Alliance $3,000 for outreach and supportive services
As noted in prior Board item 22-0200 from March 8, 2022, HHSA is bringing this item back before the Board and recommending the Board to approve the final FY 2021-22 Veterans Affairs Commission recommendation dated February 10, 2022, and approve executing an agreement with the El Dorado Community Foundation for mini-grants. Following Board approval, HHSA will finalize the El Dorado Community Foundation agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management. The El Dorado Community Foundation currently has approximately $115,871 VA TOT funding for mini grants remaining from prior year allocations. After receipt of the FY 2021-22 funds, the El Dorado Community Foundation VA TOT total amount available for mini grants is estimated to be approximately $191,871.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve and authorize this recommendation, HHSA would be unable to implement the Veterans Affairs Commission Plan as listed herein.
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; FY 2017-18 on December 13, 2018; and FY 2018-19 on June 25, 2019.
2) 07/22/14, 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.
4) 06/25/19, 19-0742 HHSA-Veteran Affairs FY 2018-19 TOT allotments
5) 11/19/19, 19-1460 HHSA-FY2019-20 VA TOT Funds Budget Transfer Request
6) 02/25/20, 20-0121 HHSA-Veterans Affairs FY 2019-20 TOT allotments
7) 05/04/21, 21-0523 HHSA-Veterans Affairs FY 20/21 TOT allotment
8) 03/08/22, 22-0200 HHSA VA TOT FY21/22 allotments
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The TOT funding contribution to the Veterans Affairs Commission was approved by the Board as part of the FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget and is included in the HHSA Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan: Good Governance
CONTACT
Daniel Del Monte, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency