To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Leah Benz, 565-6614
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee Creation and Appointments
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a resolution creating the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
B) Appoint members to the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
C) Adopt bylaws to govern the responsibilities of the Citizens Oversight Committee.
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Executive Summary:
Measure O, the “Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance,” was passed by voters in November 2020. Measure O authorizes a countywide quarter-cent special transaction and use tax (sales tax) for a ten-year period to support behavioral health and homeless services. Per Ordinance Number 6316 the Board of Supervisors shall establish a Citizens’ Oversight Committee to provide transparency and ensure fiscal accountability.
As noted in Ordinance Number 6316 Attachment 2 (Expenditure Plan) the Board shall adopt a resolution regarding the appointment of seven committee members, and any additional duties of the committee. Two of the Committee members have been selected by the Sonoma County City Selection Committee. Additional members shall include a Hospital Representative or first responder, a business community representative, and a community member with lived experience of mental health needs or homelessness. Committee Members will serve a three-year term and are eligible to be reappointed by their appointing body.
Discussion:
On August 4, 2020 the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution calling an election to submit to the voters of Sonoma County a proposed one-quarter cent sales tax measure entitled the "Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance," and ordering that the election be consolidated with the statewide general election conducted on November 3, 2020. Final ballot language can be found in Attachment 2. The final election results for the November 3, 2020 election showed that the 2020 Measure O was approved by 67 percent of voters. Pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code 7285.5, the new quarter-cent sales tax became operative as of April 1, 2021.
Implementation of Measure O requires the formation of an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee to provide transparency and ensure fiscal accountability. This item includes a request for the Board to adopt a resolution creating the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The Committee will review the receipt and expenditures of revenue from the Measure O transaction and use tax, including the County’s annual independent audit, in conjunction with the County’s budget process. The Committee will also produce an annual oral or written report on its review, to be considered by the Board at a public meeting. The report will be made available to the public.
Seven members of the public will be selected to serve on the Committee. Two of the Committee members will be selected by the Sonoma County City Selection Committee. Additional members include a hospital representative or first responder, a business community representative, and a community member with lived experience of mental health needs or homelessness. Committee members will serve a three-year term and are eligible to be reappointed by their appointing body.
County staff coordinated with the Clerk of the Board and the Sonoma County City Selection Committee to provide notice to the community about the vacancies on the Measure O Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee as set forth in the Expenditure Plan. Multiple email blasts to all stakeholder and public interest lists were sent along with asking partners to share with their networks, and district-level outreach was done by Supervisors. Twenty-nine applications were received along with two appointments from the Sonoma County City Selection Committee.
Each Supervisor received copies of the twenty-nine applications for consideration for the five remaining Committee vacancies. A list of the applicants can be found in Attachment 3. The Sonoma County City Selection Committee made their two appointments on June 10, 2021. Meeting minutes for the June 10, 2021 meeting are provided as Attachment 4.
The structure of the Committee shall be further defined in a set of bylaws to be adopted at the first meeting of the Committee. The draft bylaws are provided as Attachment 5. To preserve the integrity and independence of the oversight process, the Committee’s responsibilities shall not include decision-making on spending priorities, financing plans or tax rate projections or assumptions, and the Committee shall have no authority to direct, nor shall it direct, County or City staff or officials.
After appointment today, Committee members will need to complete the following County-related tasks before the first Oversight Committee meeting can occur: take oaths of office, complete paperwork, and complete mandatory ethics and sexual harassment prevention training through the County. County staff will contact Committee members individually to facilitate this process, which will need to occur, as schedules permit, before the first Oversight Committee meeting.
Staff have helped narrow-down applicants for the Board to consider using the following criteria:
• Geographic representation
• Diversity
• Experience serving in this capacity
• Applicant’s letter of interest (reason for wanting to serve)
Additionally, staff have invited the remaining applicants to attend this Board presentation and/or submit statements regarding their desire to serve on this committee.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
On August 4, 2020 the Board A) adopted an Ordinance entitled the “Sonoma County Local Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance” imposing a countywide 1/4 cent special transactions and use tax (sales tax) in Sonoma County for Sonoma County behavioral health and homeless services pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.5; B) authorized the Department of Health Services to coordinate with the County Administrator to contract with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to administer the tax, if approved by voters; and C) adopted a resolution calling a special election to submit to the voters of Sonoma County a one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) sales tax measure entitled “the Sonoma County Local Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance” and ordering that the special election be consolidated with the statewide general election to be conducted on November 3, 2020.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY 22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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Total Sources |
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0 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Local Ballot Measure - Measure O - November 3, 2020
Attachment 3 - List of Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee Applicants
Attachment 4 - 06.10.2021 City Selection Committee Minutes
Attachment 5 - Draft Bylaws
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None