DATE: May 25, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: James A. Kus, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: State Agreement for Voter’s Choice Act Implementation Grant Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Agreement No. 20S10073 with the State of California for reimbursement funds for the Voter’s Choice Act implementation effective upon execution by the California Department of General Services through June 30, 2021 ($74,369).
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2020-21 appropriations and estimated revenues for the County Clerk - Elections Org 28500500 in the amount of $74,369 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will provide additional State and Federal reimbursement funds to defray the costs of the Voter’s Choice Act implementation. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended actions the Department will not be awarded $74,369, in State and Federal Funds for the Voter’s Choice Act Implementation
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the approval of the recommended actions. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the appropriations and estimated revenues in the Department’s FY 2020-21 Org 28500500 Adopted Budget in the amount of $74,369. Any unexpended funds at the current fiscal year end will be re-budgeted in the Department’s FY 2021-22 recommended budget.
DISCUSSION:
On March 12, 2019 the Board of Supervisors directed the County Clerk to implement the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) in Fresno County. The VCA authorizes a county to automatically mail every voter a ballot, provide additional secure ballot drop-off boxes throughout the county, and to establish regional Voting Assistance Centers which replace multiple precinct locations. As a condition of the Voter’s Choice Act, counties are required to conduct extensive public outreach regarding the changes, and upgrade technology in order to meet the requirements of the Act.
On February 25, 2020 your Board approved agreement No. 19S10055 with the State of California for VCA Implementation reimbursement in the amount $760,911 for voting equipment and infrastructure, outreach costs, and procurement of mobile vote centers. The funds in the previous agreement have been expended, primarily for outreach activities and materials.
On April 20, 2021 the California Secretary of State notified counties of additional State funding that would be made available to reimburse counties for the implementation of the Voter’s Choice Act totaling $74,369. Funding can be used for outreach costs including advertising, printing, translation and design of materials. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the Department’s FY 2020-21 Org 28500500 revenues and appropriations to allow the Department to expend the funds as outlined in the Agreement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #7, March 12, 2019
BAI #29, February 25, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Secretary of State
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Raul Guerra