Title
Chief Administrative Office, Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 7598 with the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council (EDCFSC) for disbursement of funds authorized through Title III of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act for the purpose of funding fire prevention and planning projects, with a term of three (3) years, and federal fiscal year 2022 funding of $140,141.29; and
2) Authorize the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to issue a letter to EDCFSC for the purpose of determining funding amounts for federal fiscal Years 2023, 2024 and 2025, contingent upon the County receiving an allocation for Title III funds and consistent with the Board’s direction regarding allocation of Title III funds.
FUNDING: Title III of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (Act), was first enacted by Congress to stabilize funding to counties for road maintenance and public schools in recognition of the decline of revenues from timber sales on federal lands. The Act has been reauthorized by Public Law 115-141. The funds may be used for the following purposes:
1. to carry out activities under the Firewise Communities program;
2. to reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting and law enforcement patrols;
3. to cover training costs and equipment purchases directly related to the emergency service described above;
4. to develop and carry out community wildfire protection plans.
On June 21, 2022 (22-1022), the Board directed that all funding received from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (also known as Title III funds) for Fiscal Year 2021-22 be directed to the EDCFSC for the purpose of funding fire prevention and planning projects. This ...
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