DATE: July 14, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: First Amendment to American Rescue Plan Act - State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Interdepartmental Agreement and Budget Transfers
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute First Amendment to Interdepartmental Agreement No. A-24-591 between the County Administrative Office and Department of Public Works and Planning for provisions of American Rescue Plan Act - State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA-SLFRF), which will revise program descriptions, modify budgets, reallocate $764,725 in funding availability within the Department of Public Works and Planning ARPA-SLFRF programs, and reduce the maximum compensation by $1,655,088 from $23,635,275 to $21,980,187, with no change to the term of December 13, 2022, through December 31, 2026; and
2. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board to Execute Budget Transfer No. 74 transferring $764,725 within the Department of Public Works and Planning from account 8400 (Courthouse Park, Elkhorn Recharge Facility, and Raisin City Water Well) and account 8150 (Avocado Lake Park) to account 8150 (Lost Lake Park, Winton Park, Liberty Cemetery Signage, El Porvenir Park) and account 8400 (Skaggs Bridge Park, CSA 44C Water Systems, Liberty Cemetery, and Kearney Park).
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will approve the First Amendment to the Interdepartmental Agreement No. 24-591 (Agreement) between the County Administrative Office (CAO) and the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) for ARPA-SLFRF funding. The recommended amendment will revise program descriptions for Improvements to County Parks and the Turnout at Friant-Kern Canal project, will revise program level budgets, and will redistribute $764,725 in funding availability and increase funding for the following programs: Improvements to County Parks, Improvement to Kearney Park, Improvements to El Porvenir, Liberty Cemetery, and Water Distribution Improvement at County Service Area (CSA) 44C. Approval of the first recommended action will reduce the maximum compensation available in the Agreement by $1,655,088 from $23,635,275 to $21,980,187, with no change to the term of December 13, 2022, through December 31, 2026.
Approval of the second recommended action will authorize the Department’s budget transfer of $764,725 in funding availability within programs under Improvements to County Parks, Improvement to Kearney Park, Improvements to El Porvenir, Liberty Cemetery, and Water Distribution Improvement at CSA 44C. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. If the recommended actions are not approved, the current Agreement will remain in its current form, and the identified funding availability will not become available for the Department to expend on programs that will exceed their initial budget estimates. The Department will not have sufficient appropriations to fund the completion of Lost Lake Park, Winton Park, Skaggs Bridge Park, Liberty Cemetery-signage, El Porvenir Park, CSA 44C, Liberty Cemetery, and Kearney Park projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Public Works and Planning - Org 8870 FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. Associated costs for the recommended actions will be reimbursed by the County through Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector Org 1033 - Disaster Claiming, Fund 0026, Subclass 91021.
Approval of the recommended actions will transfer $764,725 in existing appropriations from Public Works and Planning - Org 8870, Accounts 8400 and 8150 to Department programs numbers: 91763 El Porvenir Park ($10,000), 91768 Lost Lake Park ($385,000), 91766 Winton Park ($190,000), 91770 Skaggs Bridge Park ($15,000), 91850 CSA 44C ($10,000), 91771 Improvements to Kearney Park ($74,725), 91775 Liberty Cemetery ($30,000), and assign $50,000 under Improvements to County Parks for signage repairs at Liberty Cemetery.
DISCUSSION:
On December 13, 2022, the Board approved an ARPA-SLFRF allocation funding to the Department of Public Works and Planning to implement improvements at various County locations.
On November 5, 2024, the Board approved the Agreement between the CAO’s Office and Department, which obligated $23,635,275 in ARPA-SLFRF funding to support 12 department programs through an Interagency Agreement, as permitted under the United States Department of the Treasury’s Obligation Interim Final Rule (Obligation IFR).
Since then, the Department has completed the programs and cost estimates to close are now known to the Department. However, the program budgets in the Agreement did not anticipate significant cost savings under Improvements to County Parks (Avocado Lake Park and Courthouse Park), Elkhorn Recharge Facility, and Raisin City Water Well, nor the increased costs for the labor, construction, services, and materials for the implementation of improvement to Lost Lake Park, Skaggs Bridge Park, Winton Park, Liberty Cemetery signage, El Porvenir, Liberty Cemetery water project, CSA 44C, Liberty Cemetery, and Kearney Park. Approval of the recommended amendment will also update the Department’s initial estimates for each program’s construction completion date from being a specific month and year to instead being Summer 2026, and simplify each program budget to allow needed flexibility for the Department to expend the awarded funds.
The recommended amendment will also memorialize your Board’s April 7, 2026, approval to reduce $1,591,550 in SLFRF funding allocated for the construction of the Turnout at Friant-Kern Canal (Turnout) program, in exchange for using up to $1,591,550 of earned interest on the SLFRF account for the construction of the Turnout. The following will summarize the proposed revisions to the Agreement.
Improvements to County Parks
Under this program, the Department is authorized to use $3 million of ARPA-SLFRF to fund Improvements to County Parks consisting of Avocado Lake Park, Lost Lake Park, Skaggs Bridge Park, Winton Park, and Courthouse Park. The recommended amendment will increase overall funding support for Improvement to County Parks by $231,737, which increases funding support from $3 million to up to $3,231,737. Approval of the recommended actions will also move funding availability found under Avocado Lake and Courthouse Park, and increase funding support for Lost Lake Park, Skaggs Bridge Park, Winton, and signage improvements at Liberty Cemetery.
A. Avocado Lake Park -The initial budget estimate for Avocado Lake Park was up to $1,000,000; however, the Department's initial program budget slightly overestimated the cost of planned improvements. Accordingly, $90,000 is recommended to be transferred from this project to address the increased costs at Lost Lake Park, Winton Park, and Skaggs Bridge Park accounts. Approval of the proposed transfer will decrease the budget by $90,000, resulting in a budget of up to $910,000. Improvements included the removal of broken tables and barbecue pits, as well as performing clearing and grubbing to facilitate installation of a prefabricated picnic shelter. Additional improvements include demolition of an outdated and abandoned restroom and installation of a new prefabricated restroom with associated utilities (water, sewer, and electrical), a new septic tank and leach field system, a concrete walkway, and an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant parking stall. Additional improvements include resurfacing portions of the park parking area, upgrading the existing ADA parking stall in front of the restroom, installing new tables, and completing irrigation repairs.
B. Lost Lake Park - The initial budget estimate for Lost Lake Park was up to $520,000. During project development, the Department received higher-than-anticipated cost estimates for installation of a large multi-user restroom and playground structure. Additional electrical improvements were required to provide power to the restroom, and substantial grading and earthwork which was necessary to construct an ADA-compliant walkway. These factors exceeded available funding under the current program budget. The recommended amendment and budget transfer will increase funding by $385,000, resulting in a revised project budget of up to $905,000. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to complete the originally planned improvements at Lost Lake Park.
C. Skaggs Bridge Park - The initial budget estimate for Skaggs Bridge Park was $500,000. Additional subgrade preparation and compaction efforts were required during construction, resulting in costs that exceed available funding under the current budget. The recommended amendment and budget transfer will increase funding by $15,000, resulting in a revised project budget of up to $515,000. The program consists of constructing a new asphalt parking lot accommodating approximately 90 vehicles, ADA-compliant parking stalls, and a new chain-link fence. The expanded parking improves parking availability and accessibility during the summer months when the existing lot reaches capacity and overflow parking occurs in grass and unimproved areas.
D. Winton Park - The initial budget estimate for Winton Park was $630,000. The Department received higher-than-anticipated cost estimates for installation of a large multi-user restroom. Additional electrical improvements were required to provide power to the restroom, and challenges associated with constructing the septic system and leach field due to high groundwater conditions necessitated installation of a lift station. These factors exceeded available funding under the current budget. The recommended amendment and budget transfer will increase funding by $190,000, resulting in a revised project budget of up to $820,000. Improvements at this location consist of demolishing the existing restroom; installing a new restroom with associated utilities (water, sewer, and electrical); constructing a new septic tank and leach field system; installing a new playground structure; and constructing an ADA-compliant walkway and parking stall.
E. Courthouse Park - The initial budget estimate for Courthouse Park was $350,000. In 2023, the Department completed project funding analysis, structural analysis of the Courthouse parking garage, initial irrigation system repairs and improvements, project management activities, preliminary surveying, environmental review, a subsurface utility investigation, procurement of irrigation supplies, and tree and site inspections. Total program expenditures to date are $31,737. Because future parking garage repairs at Courthouse Park will disturb any landscape improvements, the Department has determined not to proceed with additional landscaping work. The Department recommends reducing the program budget by $318,173 and reassigning funding availability to address increased costs at other previously mentioned park locations. Approval of the recommended amendment and budget transfer will maintain the current scope and reduce the project budget by $318,173, resulting in a revised budget of $31,737.
F. Liberty Cemetery, Signage - on May 12, 2026, your Board approved up to $50,000 in SLFRF funds to be assigned to Liberty Cemetery. Liberty Cemetery serves as a peaceful open space where individuals can gather, relax, walk, jog, improve their wellbeing, and honor the final resting place for our local veterans. Liberty Cemetery hosts annual traditions which observe our nation’s veterans and honor our fallen heroes and local veterans. This program will fund the design and installation of a new sign along Franklin Avenue, which will improve street visibility and increase pedestrian activity. The Department will make necessary repairs to existing signage for proper mounting, visibility, which overall will promote usage and improve public access for members of the public who visit Liberty Cemetery.
El Porvenir Park (CSA 30)
The initial budget estimate for El Porvenir Park was up to $400,000. The recommended amendment and budget transfer will increase funding by $10,000, resulting in a revised budget of up to $410,000. The program consists of constructing a new concrete walkway, installing ADA-compliant tables, a playground structure, and a soccer goal. The original intent was to repair the existing basketball court and install new posts, backboards, and hoops. However, the existing concrete court was determined to be beyond repair, and the Department elected to reconstruct the court instead.
Improvement to Kearney Park
The initial budget estimate for Improvements to Kearney Park was up to $4,485,275. The Kearney Mansion’s wastewater was previously treated by its own septic system. Under this program, improvement consisted of demolishing the septic and connecting the Kearney Mansion to an existing City of Fresno sewer line. During construction, the Department discovered unforeseen utilities needing retrofitting and/or relocation which substantially increased construction costs. In addition, bids for electrical improvements associated with park lighting were significantly higher than anticipated, and a second irrigation pump required repair during the grant period to maintain irrigation of the park's extensive landscape acreage. The recommended amendment and budget transfer will increase funding by $74,725, resulting in a revised budget of up to $4,560,000.
Raisin City Water Well
The initial budget estimate was up to $2,000,000; however, the Department's original budget overestimated project costs. Construction bids for a new well were lower than anticipated. The recommended amendment and budget transfer will decrease funding by $350,000, resulting in a revised budget of up to $1,650,000. Under this program, the Department funded design, engineering, planning, environmental review, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and permits for the installation of a new groundwater well and associated improvements, including valves, piping, grading, electrical, and control systems necessary to provide a reliable backup water source.
Liberty Cemetery - Well Pump Repair, Irrigation, and Reclaimed Water
The initial budget estimate was up to $250,000. However, costs associated with retrofitting the well casing and repairing a vandalized newly installed sign exceeded the original budget. The recommended budget transfer will increase funding by $30,000, resulting in a revised budget of up to $280,000. Under this program, an engineering study evaluated the cemetery’s irrigation connection to the City of Fresno reclaimed water system. The study determined that both the capital cost of connection and the ongoing operational costs would significantly exceed the available budget and would be greater than continuing to operate the existing irrigation well. As a result, the Department elected to repair the well pump, retrofit the well casing, improve the irrigation system and landscaping, install perimeter fencing to deter vandalism, and demolish the existing restroom, which had been a source of water leakage.
River View Subdivision (CSA No. 44C) - Water Distribution System Improvements
The initial budget estimate was up to $800,000. During construction, miscellaneous change orders resulting from unforeseen conditions caused project costs to slightly exceed the original budget. The recommended budget transfer will increase funding by $10,000, resulting in a revised budget of up to $810,000. Under this program, the Department funded the replacement of the existing aging water storage tank and associated equipment used to supply potable water to CSA No. 44C. Additional improvements included installation of a new hydropneumatic tank and associated equipment, electronic communication hardware, demolition of the existing storage tank, and removal of the existing hydropneumatic tank and equipment.
Turnout on Friant-Kern Canal at Big Dry Creek
The initial budget estimate allocated up to $2,500,000 in SLFRF for the implementation of the Turnout. Revisions to this program will memorialize your Board’s April 7, 2026, approval to reduce funding availability by $1,591,550 in SLFRF funding allocated for the construction of the Turnout program. The revisions will reduce the program budget of up to $908,450, which will fund design engineering, planning, environmental review, right-of-way, permitting and project management, program bid ready package, procurement, completed in combination by County staff and consultants. The proposed revisions will memorialize your Board’s commitment for the Department to use up to $1,591,550 of earned interest on the SLFRF account for the construction of the Turnout.
Elkhorn Recharge Basin
The initial budget estimate for the Elkhorn Recharge Basin project was up to $6,000,000. However, the Department's original program budget slightly overestimated the cost of the planned improvements. The Department advertised the project and received bids below the Engineer's estimate, and the work was completed for less than the originally estimated cost. Accordingly, it is recommended that $70,000 be released from this project.
The improvements included the construction of an approximately 60-acre recharge basin and stockpile area, including basin excavation; placement of compacted stockpile material and excess excavated material; conveyance channel excavation; installation of cast-in-place and precast concrete structures, slide gates, propeller meters, rubber-gasketed reinforced concrete pipe (RGRCP), and a County road crossing; and all other miscellaneous work necessary to provide a fully functional recharge basin.
Approval of the recommended actions will authorize the Chairman to execute the recommended Amendment, which will reallocate $764,725 in previously obligated funds among the various project accounts. The Amendment will update the approved budget totals for each program and accurately reflect the final funding allocations approved by your Board. Approval of the recommended actions will also authorize budget transfers, which will allow the Department to reallocate cost savings from certain projects to address funding needs at other locations.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #22, May 12, 2026
BAI #37, April 7, 2026
BAI #63, November 5, 2024
BAI #66, December 13, 2022
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - First Amendment to Interdepartmental Agreement
On file with Clerk - Budget Transfer #74
CAO ANALYST:
George Uc