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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 2024 as National County Government Month in Solano County (Supervisor Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 2024 as National County Government Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
April 2024 marks the 33rd anniversary of National County Government Month, sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and established to increase public awareness and understanding of the value of the responsibilities vested in county government. Counties play a critical role in the lives of their residents by protecting and enhancing the health, safety and well-being of their residents in practical, cost-effective ways.
This year’s National County Government Month theme is “ForwardTogether.” ForwardTogether is about connecting, inspiring and leading - pillars of county government that build trust and drive towards solutions. Nationally, the people living and working in counties benefit directly from the programs and services that counties provide, including, and not limited to transportation and infrastructure, access to healthcare, the justice system, essential documents, election services, and much more.
In Solano County, department teams are committed to helping residents connect to the essential programs and services that help them live safer, happier, healthier, more fulfilling and vibrant lives. Solano County residents benefit from the work county staff provide, including helping them gain access to community healthcare clinics, recreational services, voting, mental and behavioral health services, public assistance programs, resources for families and children, benefits for veterans and access to programming and services as part of the criminal justice system - just to name a few.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the County Administrator’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the County Administrator’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Today, America’s county governments invest billions of dollars annually into local programs and services that directly affect every person in the country, including the establishment and maintenance of the fundamental building blocks that create a safe, healthy, vibrant and resilient place to live, work, play and call home.
National County Government Month, held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. Since 1991, National County Government Month provides an opportunity to educate community residents about these investments and the role counties play in their daily lives. The theme for this year’s celebration of NCGM is “ForwardTogether,” and highlights the powerful role of county governments as intergovernmental partners that:
• Connect, building bridges to advance excellence and networks in county government
• Inspire, driving community engagement and residents’ trust in county government, and
• Lead, spearheading local, state, federal and tribal intergovernmental partnerships and common-sense policy solutions
In addition to being one of the country’s oldest forms of government, counties invest billions of dollars annually in infrastructure improvement projects, public transportation, community health clinics, parks, recreation facilities, public safety and much more. Counties also provide critical services to all residents; from the time they are born to the time they grow old. County governments are uniquely positioned to provide real support, identifying challenges on the ground and pursuing innovative solutions to address them.
While no two counties are the same, whether be it population, size or geography, all counties provide the programs and services that help residents thrive. Whether it be through investments in community health, infrastructure and transportation or justice and public safety, county leaders are on the front lines of delivering vital services to county residents.
Here in Solano County, our employees are dedicated to ensuring access to critical services for residents to the services they need, including healthcare, employment opportunities, the criminal justice system, food and rental assistance and much more. As one of the nation’s 3,069 Counties, Solano County is proud to serve our residents with the programs and services they need. The following are just a few examples of county services:
• The Agriculture / Weights and Measures department inspects more than 6,600 measuring and weighing devices annually, including gas pumps, grocery store scales, taxi meters, propane meters, livestock animal scales and more, ensuring the public gets what they pay for when they access and consume services and materials in the County.
• The Department of Child Support Services serves more than 13,500 families in the County through the collection and distribution of more than $40 million dollars in assistance programs that directly benefit children, making it the eighth highest performing Child Support Service department in the State of California.
• First 5 Solano provides funding and support to families and the community to help improve the lives of children ages zero to five in our community. Currently, First 5 is working to renovate a shuttered school in Vallejo to turn it into an Early Learning Center, where it will provide up to 300 childcare slots.
• The County’s Department of Library Services recently launched a new interactive software system, significantly expanding access to its digital media collection of books, magazines, films and music to patrons, garnering a record-breaking 500,000 downloads in 2023, which equates to more than one digital checkout for every person living in Solano County.
• The Public and Alternate Defender’s Office works to protect the rights, liberty and dignity of clients as they make their way through the criminal justice system, including working on more than 6,900 cases in 2023. The Public Defender also helped more than 200 residents clean their criminal records, removing barriers to housing and employment opportunities.
• The Department of Resource Management, Environmental Health Division, conducted more than 1,600 routine inspections at retail food facilities in 2023, ensuring that when residents go out to eat, all food handling services and practices are being properly implemented.
• The Veteran Service Office processes approximately 3,000 claims for benefits on behalf of veterans each year, helping them gain access to medical, dental, survivor, educational, housing and disability services they have earned as part of their military service.
• The Department of Health and Social Services serves provides programming and services to approximately 1 in every 3 residents in Solano County. Programs and services, including access to public assistance programming, medical services, behavioral health services, public health programs, and more, are provided by the help of nearly 1,300 employees working on three campuses in each of the major cities.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution recognizing April 2024 as National County Government Month in Solano County. This is not recommended as this resolution offers Solano County residents an opportunity to learn about both the vital county services provided by county government and the dedicated county employees who daily serve the public.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION