DATE: September 26, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner
SUBJECT: Federal Forest Reserve Funds - Title III
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Authorize the allocation of Federal Forest Reserve Title III funds for FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 in the combined amount of $175,591.11 to the Sheriff’s Department to offset County General Fund costs for Search and Rescue activities on Federal lands.
REPORT
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board may choose to divide the funds, in any proportion, between any eligible projects. Staff is not aware of any other eligible proposed projects at this time. Allocation of FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 Title III funds must take place before September 30, 2017, and funds must be obligated by September 30, 2018, or the funds must be returned to the United States Treasury.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The County received Title III funds of $86,860.55 in 2015 and $88,730.56 in 2016. If approved, the Title III allocation will be directed to the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Trust Fund 0095, Subclass 17656 and will be drawn down to reimburse costs associated with search and rescue activities and other emergency services performed in national forests.
DISCUSSION:
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (SRS Act) provided eligible counties an increased and predictable level of funding for local schools and roads. Title I funds represent 85% of the allocation, and are divided evenly between rural schools and the County’s Road Fund, 15% of the allocation is divided between Title II (8%) and Title III (7%) projects. Attachment A shows the SRS Act allocations for FY 2014-15 and FY 15-16. Title II funds are directly allocated and overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture to complete special projects on Federal lands within the County, which protect, restore and enhance natural resources (such as fish and wildlife habitat). Those Title II special projects are proposed by the Fresno County Resources Advisory Committee, which is composed of a 15-member panel appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and overseen by the Forest Service.
Title III funds may be used to:
1. Carry out activities under the Firewise Communities Program to provide to homeowners in fire sensitive ecosystems education on, and assistance with implementing, techniques in home siting, home construction, and home landscaping that can increase the protection of people and property from wildfires;
2. Reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting, that are performed in national forests after the date on which the use was approved.
3. Develop community wildfire protection plans in coordination with the Forest Service acting on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Since 2010, the Board has allocated all Title III funds to the Sheriff’s Department to provide search and rescue services.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
December 10, 2013, Addendum D
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A
CAO ANALYST:
John Hays