REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  February  28, 2023
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-16.

SUBJECT:

Adopt a resolution which designates authorized agents for obtaining and expending funding through the Homeland Security Grant Programs.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Robin Schurig, MPH, CPH, HHSA Public Health Branch Director, (530) 245-6869

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Robin Schurig, MPH, CPH, Public Health Branch Director

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution, effective date of signing, which: (1) Designates authorized agents for the purpose of obtaining funding through the Homeland Security Grant Programs for Federal Fiscal Year 2022; and (2) approves and authorizes the Health and Human Services Agency Public Health Branch Director or Deputy Branch Director to enter into, sign, and execute: a) any and all agreements, amendments, and extensions for obtaining funding, including retroactive, for Federal Fiscal Year 2022 that are approved by the Operational Area Approval Authority Body, and b) any and all subcontracts, amendments, and extensions, including retroactive, that are substantially similar to the agreement attached and incorporated therein as “Exhibit A”, to expend HSGP funds, so long as they otherwise comply with Administrative Policy 6-101, Shasta County Contracts Manual.

DISCUSSION

Since June 30, 2009, Health and Human Services Agency Public Health (HHSA-PH) has been the lead agency in Shasta County for the Homeland Security Grant Programs (HSGP). The grant amount for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022 is anticipated to be $247,206.

Since inception, a five-member panel, the Operational Area Approval Authority Body, (consisting of the Health Officer, the Sheriff, a police chief, the County Fire Chief, and a municipal Fire Chief) must agree on the proposed expenditures to be submitted in the application. The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) requires that a resolution designating officials authorized by the Board to sign the HSGP application be submitted each year as part of the application process. Each year the Board has adopted a resolution authorizing appropriate staff from the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and HHSA-PH to apply for the HSGP funding. HHSA-PH is requesting that the Board authorize the HHSA Public Health Branch Director or Deputy Branch Director to sign any and all HSGP agreements, extensions, and amendments for obtaining federal funding, including retroactive, due to accelerated timelines from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) for local advance applications. Funds from this allocation provide resources for local law enforcement agencies, fire agencies, and HHSA-PH to obtain equipment and training related to terrorism and emergency preparedness. The absence of an updated resolution would prevent the County from receiving the FFY 2022 HSGP allocation. Consequently, equipment and programs benefitting various agencies in the County would not be funded. Furthermore, HHSA-PH processes several subcontracts each year to allocate HSGP funding. These agreements may or may not require Board signing authority. An example of a prior Board-approved HSGP subcontract has been attached and incorporated to the Resolution as “Exhibit A.”

HHSA-PH is requesting that the Board authorize the HHSA Public Health Branch Director or Deputy Branch Director to sign any and all FFY 2022 HSGP agreements, extensions, amendments, and subcontracts for expending funding that are substantially similar to “Exhibit A,”, including retroactive, so long as they otherwise comply with Administrative Policy 6-101, because it will improve the delivery time of needed equipment and trainings (related to terrorism and emergency preparedness) to local law enforcement agencies, fire agencies, and HHSA.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution or require different approving signatories.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The Sheriff’s Office concurs with the designated official signatories listed in the resolution. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form. This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FISCAL IMPACT

FY 2021-22 and 2022-23 Adopted Budgets (BU 411) includes sufficient appropriation authority and offsetting revenues to support the recommendation. There is no County match.