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.
Body
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 was completed under the County’s current Agreement 4758 with the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council (EDCFSC) which expires on August 31, 2023 and includes funding through FY 2021-22 (federal fiscal year 2021).
On June 13, 2023 (23-1120), as part of the Fiscal Year 2023-24 recommended budget, the Board directed that funding in the amount of $140,141.29 from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (Title III Funds) shall be allocated to the EDCFSC for federal fiscal year 2022, since the Board provided Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funding to the Sheriff to fund search and rescue activities that had been previously funded through Title III Funds.
The proposed Agreement 7598 is being requested to continue the disbursement of funds for federal fiscal year 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The Agreement provides that the EDCFSC’s allocation of these funds for federal fiscal year 2022 in the amount of $140,141.29 shall be disbursed upon execution, and that contributions in the next three years shall be determined by the County and issued via letter to the EDCFSC.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to provide new direction for the allocation of the funding.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
06/13/23 (23-1120) - As part of the FY 2023-24 recommended budget, the Board directed that funding in the amount of $140,141.29 from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (Title III Funds) shall be allocated to the EDCFSC for federal fiscal year 2022.
06/21/22 (22-1022) - The Board gave direction that all funding received from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (also known as Title III funds) for FY 2021-22 be directed to the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council for the purpose of funding fire prevention and planning projects.
09/01/20 (20-1100) - The Board approved Agreement 4758 with El Dorado County Fire Safe Council with a term of three (3) years, and FY 2020-21 funding of $156,469.
10/08/19 (19-1359) - The Board reaffirmed its prior direction, thereby directing staff to draft the Agreement.
01/12/16 (13-1542) - The Board approved Amendment V to Agreement 228-F1111, the prior agreement with the Fire Safe Council, extending the term to 06/30/17.
07/15/14 (13-1542) - The Board gave direction that Title III funds shall be split evenly between the Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Safe Council.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No change to Net County Cost. This Funding Agreement disburses Title III funds, which are restricted in use. The disbursement is included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Recommended Budget. Future year costs will be budgeted appropriately.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain Chair’s signature on one (1) copy of the Agreement and forward to CAO Fiscal, attention Kelley Lawrie.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Sue Hennike, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer