DATE: April 7, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: James A. Kus, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: Agreement for Help America Vote Act Grant Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Agreement No. 25G27110 with the State of California for Federal Help America Vote Act reimbursement funds and State funds to improve election security, effective upon execution by the California Department of General Services through December 31, 2026 ($176,324).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, which will execute Agreement No. 25G27110 with the State of California (recommended Agreement) to provide up to $176,324 in Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Federal reimbursement funds and State funds to defray the costs of services, equipment, and training to improve election security. The Department has developed a plan for the use of the funding to enhance access control systems and security camera functionality at the County Elections Warehouse, consistent with the eligible uses identified in Exhibit A of the recommended Agreement. Although the Elections Warehouse is located in District 3, this item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may elect to decline the funding. If the recommended action is not approved, the Department will not be awarded a total of $176,324 in grant funds to improve the administration of elections.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Match funding is not required under the recommended Agreement. The specific activities and equipment eligible for reimbursement have been approved by the State and are itemized in the recommended Agreement, not to exceed the $176,324 award. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the County Clerk-Elections Org 2850 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget request.
DISCUSSION:
On February 2, 2026, the California Secretary of State notified counties of available non-competitive Federal HAVA funding and State funding to improve election security and released the recommended Agreement. The recommended Agreement provides for reimbursement of expenses in the following categories: cybersecurity, physical security, security and privacy awareness training, and incident response. The Department’s plan for use of the funding includes improving security camera coverage, replacing outdated security cameras with higher-resolution models, and installing Hirsch access controls at additional entrances to enhance security.
If approved by your Board, the recommended Agreement will become effective upon execution by the California Department of General Services and provides for reimbursement of expenses incurred on or after July 1, 2025. Expenses can be incurred through December 31, 2026. The deadline for submitting claims against Federal funds under the recommended Agreement is September 30, 2026, and the deadline for submitting claims against State funds is March 31, 2027.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with State of California
CAO ANALYST:
Amy Ryals