REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  August  22, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Public Works-16.

SUBJECT:

Secure Rural Schools 2017 Title III Project Award

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Pat Minturn, Public Works Director, (530) 225-5661

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Pat Minturn, Public Works Director

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions regarding Secure Rural Schools Act: (1)  Approve and authorize Title III project allocations in the amount of $189,000 for Fiscal Year 2017-18 as follows: (a) obligate $25,000 to Shasta County Sheriff’s Office for search and rescue services; (b) obligate $40,000 to Shasta County Sheriff’s Office for fire response services; (c) obligate $65,250 to Western Shasta Resource Conservation District for Firewise Communities Program activities; (d) obligate $29,000 to Day Lassen Bench Fire Safe Council for Firewise Communities Program activities; and (e) obligate $29,750 to Shasta County Fire Department for fire response activities; and (2) direct staff to begin the 45-day public comment period.

SUMMARY

The Secure Rural School program has lapsed.  It is recommended that the Board allocate remaining funds.

DISCUSSION

Secure Rural School (SRS) funding provides assistance to rural counties affected by declining timber harvests on federal lands.  Title III funds are a component of SRS funding.  Title III funds may only be used to carry out Firewise Communities Program activities, reimburse search and rescue and other emergency services, and to develop community wildfire protection plans.  These activities must be in relation to federal lands.  Congress last renewed the SRS program in 2015 and it has since lapsed.  Approximately $189,000 remains available for allocation within Shasta County.  Projects shall be initiated by September 30, 2017.

On June 28, 2017, a request for proposals was circulated.  Five proposals were received.  The Sheriff’s Office applied for $25,000 for search and rescue recovery efforts and $40,000 for emergency fire response services.  The Western Shasta Resource Conservation District applied for $65,250 for Firewise Communities activities.  The Day Lassen Bench Fire Safe Council applied for $29,000 for Firewise Communities activities. Shasta County Fire Department applied for $29,750 for fire response activities. Staff will return to the Board for final project award after a 45-day comment period.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may elect to modify the project allocations.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The United States Forest Service administers SRS funds.  The Northern California Resource Advisory Committee Coordinator has been involved throughout the process.  The recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

Adequate fund balance is available in the Title III Projects budget. Budget amendments will accompany the final project award.  There is no General Fund impact.