DATE: November 17, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Joe Prado, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with Cal OES
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
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 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program, for the period of September 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 ($1,033,845);
2. Retroactively approve and authorize the Emergency Services Division Manager’s previous execution and submission of the grant award letter for the FY 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program; and
3. Approve and authorize the Vice-Chairman to execute the Governing Body Resolution.
REPORT
There is no additional increase in Net County Cost 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 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). The County has received funding from Cal OES for the Homeland Security Program since 1999. The recommended agreement provides pass-through Federal grant funds to enhance terrorism and disaster response capabilities in Fresno County. The second recommended action is required as 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 September 14, 2026, and was signed and returned to Cal OES on September 17, 2026, contingent upon approval by the Board of Supervisors. Cal OES subsequently issued the Conditional Hold Release on September 21, 2026. The third recommended action is required to ensure the Chairman does not self-certify Cal OES’ required forms. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(s):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department would not be able to provide pass-through funding to local agencies, which would result in a decreased level of local terrorism preparedness and response in Fresno County.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement was received by Cal OES on February 21, 2025 and was finalized on September 17, 2026 after delays due to ongoing litigation between the Federal and State governments. This item is retroactive to September 1, 2025 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 recommended revenue agreement of $1,033,845 represents an 11.5% ($106,437) increase over the prior year, is non-competitive, and does not require matching funds. The increase in funding is due to adjustment in the federal allocation for this program.
The County’s Office of Emergency Services (County OES) administers the HSGP wherein Federal funds pass-through the County to multiple jurisdictions on a reimbursement basis. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires at least 35% of grant funding ($361,846) be utilized for Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA).
The recommended revenue agreement includes funding for partial recovery of grant administrative direct costs at 5% ($51,692).
Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The DHS Appropriations Act, 2018 and the DHS FY 2025 HSGP provides funding for terrorism prevention to states, territories, urban areas, and other local and tribal governments. The funding is used to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from potential terrorism and other catastrophic events. DHS continues to encourage local jurisdictions to utilize HSGP funding to build, maintain, and enhance local capabilities, such as:
• Cybersecurity;
• Infrastructure Systems;
• Access Control and Identity Verification;
• Economic Recovery; and
• Long-term Vulnerability Reduction.
After assessing the National risk profile for FY 2025, DHS/FEMA has determined that priority areas should focus on enhancing cybersecurity; protecting soft targets and crowded places; enhancing election security; and supporting border crisis response. DHS/FEMA requires that a minimum of 30% of total grant funding be allocated to these National Priority Areas. Grant funds will be utilized for equipment, training, organization, and planning in support of these priorities. In addition, DHS/FEMA has determined that at least 35% of grant funds must be used for LETPA.
HSGP funds are allocated to multiple jurisdictions within Fresno County by a mandated HSGP Approval Authority. The Approval Authority is comprised of stakeholders who represent their respective disciplines as follows:
• Emergency Medical Services Director - Fresno County EMS;
• County Fire Chief - Fresno County Fire Protection District;
• Municipal Fire Chief - City of Clovis Fire Department;
• Sheriff - Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office; and
• Municipal Chief of Police - City of Fresno Police Department.
It should be noted the County has run a Homeland Security Program since 1999. This marks the second year of a non-competitive grant funding cycle for the 2024 grant year, approved by your Board on April 22, 2025.
With your Board’s approval, the recommended grant agreement is retroactively effective September 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The agreement may be suspended or terminated by Cal OES if the County fails to comply with the terms; however, it does not allow the County to terminate without cause.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #35, April 22, 2025
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Cal OES
On file with Clerk - HSGP Award Letter & Conditional Hold Release
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander