DATE: July 7, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Coronavirus Relief Funding and Realignment Backfill Funding Certification Forms
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer to execute a Coronavirus Relief Funding form allowing the County to be eligible for approximately $16.4 million and certifying that the County’s proposed uses of funds under the applicable provisions of paragraphs (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Control Section 11.90 of the Budget Act of 2020, will only be used for specific costs and under certain conditions detailed within the form.
2. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer to execute a certification form allowing for receipt of funds pursuant to Provision 3 of Item 9210-110-0001 of the Budget Act of 2020 certifying that the County’s proposed uses of a portion of $750 million in Realignment backfill funding and a possible additional portion of $250 million of potential Realignment backfill funding will only be used for specific costs and under certain conditions detailed within the form.
REPORT
To respond to, and provide support for, COVID-19, the state and federal government have provided resources to support state and local governments, respond to the public health crisis, encourage recovery, and support vulnerable Californians. Approval of the recommended actions will authorize execution of two forms certifying that the County of Fresno will use these resources as specifically provided within the documents, and will follow certain conditions listed in the certifications.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the County will not be eligible for the related COVID-19 relief funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, as they are execution of certification of use forms.
DISCUSSION:
On June 30, 2020, The California Department of Finance (DoF) released initial information regarding Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) and Realignment backfill funding for counties on a new DoF COVID-19 Information website. The County of Fresno will be eligible for approximately $16.4 million in CRF funds, as well as a portion of the $750 million allocated to counties for Realignment backfill funding, and a portion of another $250 million of additional Realignment backfill funding if the federal government provides additional eligible funding by October 15, 2020. Fresno County’s portion of the Realignment backfill is still to be determined, as the DoF and the California State Association of Counties are working together to establish county allocation percentages for this funding. The state is recommending providing the county allocation of both funding sources in installments, with one-twelfth of the Realignment and one-sixth of the CRF funding due to counties in late July. To be eligible for both funding opportunities, counties are required to sign a CRF certification form, and a “County General Fund COVID-19 Allocation” certification form, due by July 10, promising to comply with federal and state health orders and guidance related to the COVID-19 emergency.
Approval of the recommended actions will authorize execution of the two certification forms, which state the following:
Coronavirus Relief Funding Certification Form
The County of Fresno's proposed uses of the funds provided as direct payment under the applicable provisions of subdivision (d) of Control Section 11.90 of the Budget Act of 2020 will be used only for costs that:
a. Are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
b. Were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020, for the County of Fresno.
c. Were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020.
The County of Fresno agrees to do all of the following as a condition of receipt of funds:
a. Adhere to federal guidance and the state’s stay-at-home requirements and other health requirements as directed in gubernatorial Executive Order N-33-20, any subsequent Executive Orders or statutes, and all California Department of Public Health orders, directives, and guidance in response to COVID-19 emergency.
b. Use the funds in accordance with all applicable provisions of subdivision (d) of Control Section 11.90 of the Budget Act of 2020.
c. Report on expenditures and summarize regional collaboration and non-duplication of efforts within the region by September 1, 2020, and return any funds that are unspent by October 30, 2020 (unless extended by the Department of Finance based on reported expenditures to date), and repay the state for any cost disallowed after federal review.
d. Retain records to support reported COVID-19 eligible expenditures and participate in audits as outlined by the federal government and State.
COVID-19 Allocation Certification Form
The County of Fresno's proposed uses of the funds provided under Provision 3 of Item 9210-110-0001 of the Budget Act of 2020 will be used only for costs that:
a. Would have otherwise been funded via state-local Realignment revenues.
b. Prioritize support for health and human services, entitlement programs, and programs that serve vulnerable populations.
The County of Fresno agrees to do all of the following as a condition of receipt of funds:
a. Adhere to federal guidance and the state’s stay-at-home requirements and other health requirements as directed in gubernatorial Executive Order N-33-20, any subsequent Executive Orders or statutes, and all California Department of Public Health orders, directives, and guidance in response to COVID-19 emergency.
b. Use the funds in accordance with Provision 3 of Item 9210-110-0001 of the Budget Act of 2020.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Coronavirus Relief Funding Certification Form
On file with Clerk - COVID-19 Allocation Certification Form
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander