DATE: December 10, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Brandi Orth, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: Amendment I to State Agreement for Voting System Replacement Grant Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to Agreement No. 19-172 with the State of California for reimbursement funds for replacement of voting systems and related equipment, effective upon execution by the California Department of General Services through June 30, 2022, increasing award amount by $1,858,157.20 to a total of $4,744,657.20; and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2019-20 appropriations and estimated revenues for the County Clerk - Elections Org 28500500 in the amount of $1,858,157.20 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will provide additional State reimbursement funds to defray the costs of a new voting system and related equipment. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the Board does not approve the recommended actions, the County Clerk/Registrar of Voters will not be awarded the additional $1,858,157.20 in State funds for voting system replacement costs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions because Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant funds (federal program) will be used for the County’s required matching of this State Grant funds. The County is required to match funds for eligible expenditures on a 3:1 basis. Approval of the first recommended action will increase the County’s award amount by $1,858,157.20 to a total of $4,744,657.20. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the appropriations and estimated revenues in the Department’s FY 2019-20 Org 28500500 Adopted Budget in the amount of $1,858,157.20. Any unexpended funds at the current fiscal year end will be re-budgeted in the Department’s FY 2020-21 budget request.
DISCUSSION:
On April 9, 2019 your Board approved Agreement No. 19-172 (State Agreement No. 18G30110) with the State of California for reimbursement funds for the replacement of voting systems and related equipment. Funds were provided on a 1:1 match basis.
On July 23, 2019, the California Secretary of State notified the counties of additional state funding that would be made available to assist with the replacement of voting systems and related equipment ($1,443,250) and funding specifically for election management system replacement ($414,907.20) for a total of $1,858,157.20 in additional funding. The Department currently has an election management system that meets its needs and there are no plans to seek a replacement. Reimbursement on a 3:1 basis will be allowed for qualifying expenditures occurring after April 29, 2015 and before June 30, 2022.
On September 25, 2019 the State issued the Amendment to Fresno County for the additional $1,858,157.20. Approval of the first recommended action will allow the Department access to reimbursement funds on a 3:1 basis. The execution of the proposed Amendment will increase the County’s total award amount to $4,744,657.20.
Approval of the second recommended action will increase the Department’s FY 2019-20 Org 28500500 revenues and appropriations to allow the Department to expend the funds as outlined in the Agreement for replacement of a voting system and related equipment.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #30, April 9, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to Agreement
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Yussel Zalapa