To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, Human Resources - Risk, Transportation and Public Works, Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Sheryl Bratton, County Administrator; Niki Berrocal, Deputy County Administrator; Erick Roeser, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector; Jamie Bloom, Human Resources - Risk Analyst; Johannes Hoevertsz, Transportation and Public Works Director; Bert Whitaker, Parks Director
Vote Requirement: Informational Only
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Disaster Finance Team Federal Emergency Management Agency Status
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive an update from the Disaster Finance Team regarding the status of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claims from 2017 Floods and Fire and 2019 Floods.
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Executive Summary:
This update covers the status of funding from four Presidential Major Disaster declarations including two flood events in 2017, the Sonoma Complex fire in 2017, and 2019 Russian River flood event. The Office of Recovery and Resilience provides on-going monthly updates that help track progress over time in addition to this annual update from the Disaster Finance Team.
Discussion:
There are three distinct phases for FEMA disaster events for our consideration 1) response; 2) approved projects for recovery; and 3) long-term recovery efforts. There are multiple funding sources that may be available depending upon the function and activity. It is important to work together for solutions as we face the financial reality of increased costs, reduced revenues, and outlying reimbursements for some costs.
Reimbursements from FEMA have a long life cycle and it’s difficult to predict when reimbursements will be received, therefore FEMA reimbursements have not been included in the fiscal projections presented separately today. Reimbursements are subject to audit by the Office of Inspector General and a portion of the total reimbursement is set aside as an audit reserve. Original documentation needs to be maintained in departments through audit, close out and an additional three years post close out letter.
Disaster Relief Funding
One of the key components of recovery is the partnership formed with our federal, state, and local jurisdictions. There are funds available to help the County through the initial response and recovery, even some funds that are focused on long-term recovery. The first place to begin rebuilding financially is with federal disaster relief funds.
Federal Disaster Relief:
FEMA will not cover items that can be covered through insurance or other funding sources. Immediate response costs and permanent projects are covered through FEMA. There are distinct categories of FEMA projects that can receive reimbursement. Permanent projects are paid for up front and then submitted for reimbursement.
State Disaster Relief:
The California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) authorizes the Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to administer a disaster assistance program that provides financial assistance from the state for costs incurred by local governments as a result of a disaster event. Funding for the repair, restoration, or replacement of public real property damaged or destroyed by a disaster is made available when the Director concurs with a local emergency proclamation requesting state disaster assistance. The program also provides for the reimbursement of local government costs associated with certain emergency activities undertaken in response to a state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor. In addition, the program may provide matching fund assistance for cost sharing required under federal public assistance programs in response to a Presidential Major Disaster or Emergency Declaration. The implementing regulations for CDAA can be found in Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6.
In general, the state share is no more than 75% of the following eligible costs
• Overtime and associated wage additive costs for emergency response personnel;
• Actual travel and per diem;
• Supplies, materials, and equipment;
• Repair, permanent restoration, and replacement costs for public facilities;
• The cost of basic engineering services when necessary for construction projects;
• Indirect and administrative costs (10% of total approved state share);
• Costs for work performed under interagency assistance agreements for which an eligible applicant is legally obligated to pay; and
• The local cost share required under federal public assistance programs.
Disaster Financial Management:
Effective disaster financial management is critical for successful response and recovery for Sonoma County. Including the Kincade Fire Event, Sonoma County has 5 active public assistance grants. Significant disaster finance staffing resources are needed to effectively manage the cost recovery process. The Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector will be coming back to the Board with a separate request for additional disaster finance resources.
The staff presentation outlines for each disaster event contained in this update, a status of the FEMA claim, Federal Highway assistance, insurance, and what overall reimbursements is yet to be received and/or accounted for in the county’s financials.
Prior Board Actions:
December 12, 2017 Post Fire Fiscal Update
March 20, 2018 Budget Policy Workshop
June 11, 2019 Disaster Finance and Recovery and Resiliency Budget Update
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Adopted |
FY20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Disaster Finance Team FEMA Update
2017 Flood Map
2019 Flood Map
2017 Fire Map FEMA Map
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None