DATE: February 25, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with Cal OES
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive grant Application/Revenue Agreement including Assurances, Certifications and Authorized Agent Form with the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant, for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 ($601,408);
2. Retroactively authorize the Director of Public Health, or Designee’s previous execution of the grant award letter for the FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant; and
3. Approve and authorize the Vice-Chairman to execute the Governing Body Resolution.
REPORT
There is no additional increase in Net County Costs associated with the recommended actions, which will allow for the submission and execution of the non-competitive retroactive grant application/revenue agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). The County has received funding from EMPG since the early 1990’s. The grant funds support the prevention, preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery for emergencies and disasters. The second recommended action is required as the release of funding was dependent on Cal OES’ receipt of the signed award letter within twenty days. The award letter was received from Cal OES on October 28, 2024, was signed by the Authorized Agent, and submitted to Cal OES on November 4, 2024, subject to approval by your Board. The third recommended action is required to ensure the Chairman does not self-certify Cal OES’ required forms. The application/revenue agreement and related documents represent the agreement with Cal OES and require 100% County match ($300,704) through staffing and software costs, which will be funded with Health Realignment funding, with no Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(s):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the County’s Office of Emergency Services would not be funded, resulting in a decreased level of local emergency preparedness and response coordination.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended FY 2024 EMPG application/revenue agreement was received from Cal OES and finalized January 21, 2025. This agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2024, and is being brought before your Board within agenda item processing deadlines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum cost associated with the recommended application/revenue agreement is $601,408. This year’s grant allocation of $300,704 is a seven percent (7%) decrease from last year’s allocation, based on a decrease in federal funding provided to Cal OES statewide for EMPG. Health Realignment will cover required match ($300,704). Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
EMPG supports the County’s ability to prevent, prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters, whether natural or man-made. Federal EMPG funds are allocated through Cal OES annually, as authorized by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
The Department has received EMPG grant funds since the early 1990’s. Prior grants have funded the development and updates of emergency response plans, enhancements to the County’s Emergency Operations Center, emergency communications vehicle radio upgrades, and emergency response equipment upgrades. The funds will also be used for the annual maintenance and support costs associated with the crisis information management system or Web-based Emergency Operations Center (WebEOC). WebEOC provides emergency response agencies with a common access point with real time information and resource tracking, situation analysis, communication, and dissemination of information during an emergency or significant event.
The recommended application/revenue agreement will become a binding agreement upon execution by Cal OES and is effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. The County of Fresno is also in the second year of a non-competitive grant funding cycle for 2023, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors on March 5, 2024. The agreement does not allow for termination without cause; however, the County and Cal OES may terminate from the agreement for non-compliance with the award assurances or terms and conditions issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The terms also state the County shall be responsible for any liability arising out of the performance of this agreement.
This authorization ensures the County remains compliant with Cal OES requirements and supports efficient grant administration.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #40, March 5, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Cal OES
On file with Clerk - EMPG Award Letter
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander