title
Receive an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Subject Matter Workgroup presentation and consider providing further direction on job training and small business development recovery project options; and Consider approval of a time sensitive funding request totaling $736,455 to maintain current service delivery levels
body
Published Notice Required? Yes _ _ No _ X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _ _ No _ X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
1) Receive an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Subject Matter presentation and consider providing further direction on Workforce recovery project options; and
2) Consider approval of a time sensitive funding request totaling $736,455 to maintain current service delivery levels.
SUMMARY:
On February 8, 2022, the Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County, the Solano Economic Development Corporation (Solano EDC), and the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) presented project options for workforce and small business recovery under the County's ARPA allocation, providing the Board an opportunity to consider providing further direction. The Board asked that the presenters return to the Board with additional information on proposed projects, a breakdown of specific requests, and to prioritize any time sensitive requests. The Workforce Development Board is returning to present a breakdown of the initial two categories, now presented as 17 components for consideration.
The Board directed Subject Matter Workgroups bring forward project options under eligible categories in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for further Board discussion and direction. This presentation breaks down a package of project options in the ARPA eligible categories identified by the Board under the topic area of Workforce and Small Business recovery project options.
The Subject Matter Workgroup engaged over fifty (50) organizations and entities in the process of developing project options, including city governments, training providers, funders, and nonprofit workforce providers. The WDB is presenting at today’s meeting on workforce recovery projects under the County’s ARPA allocation, providing the Board an opportunity to consider providing further direction. The Solano EDC and SBDC will return at a future date to provide an overview of identified project options under further categories.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Subject Matter Workgroup identifies four priority project options with a total estimated cost of $6,646,455. These project options qualify under the ARPA U.S. Treasury eligible spending category of “Negative Economic Impacts” and “Disproportionately Impacted Communities” which the Board previously affirmed as a Solano County eligible category. The Board of Supervisors approved an initial allocation of Solano County ARPA SLFRF funding in each of these category areas of $10,000,000, subject to future modification depending on Board direction.
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2021/22 Adopted Budget. Any future allocation of funding for the project options presented by the Subject Matter Workgroup would be deducted from the Solano County ARPA allocation of $86,949,405. There is no impact to the General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
Solano County received a direct federal funding allocation under the ARPA - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program of $86,949,405. These funds are intended to provide support to the County in responding to the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19 and impacts on the community, residents, and businesses. The Board of Supervisors previously received an overview on ARPA guidelines and approved the eligible spending categories for potential allocation of funding in line with U.S. Treasury guidelines. The Board also provided several opportunities for public comment/input into the development of the ARPA Recovery Plan and agreed to receive Subject Matter Workgroup presentations to further explore funding options under consideration for ARPA SLFRF funds.
The County Administrator’s Office is working with several workgroups to bring forward presentations addressing key ARPA categories for potential investment. This presentation brings forward a package of 17 project options for Board consideration, under four funding option categories.
The Subject Matter Workgroup Report identifies four funding options as follows:
1. Maintain Current Service Delivery - $736,455
2. Investment in Community-Based Workforce - $2,806,000
3. Industry-Based Job Training - $1,898,000
4. Expanded Workforce Services to Address COVID Gaps - $1,206,000
These four funding options were identified as priority needs after reviewing community data, considering other investments by a variety of stakeholders to address the COVID-19 pandemic, consideration of the ability of the proposal to be sustained beyond the life of the investment, and determining the readiness of the impacted system to successfully integrate the investment into ongoing functionality.
The attached Subject Matter Workgroup Report reflects an update/revised report that has been reformatted based on prior Board direction received on February 8, 2022. The revised document is intended to clarify services and programs grouped into several options to mitigate the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 for Solano County’s workers and businesses. The March 22, 2022 Subject Matter Workgroup Report details concepts to address workforce and small business and aide displaced and underemployed worker needs including training, education, work experience, and other support services. The revised Report is included as Attachment A.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors may:
1. Choose not to receive the presentation from the Subject Matter Workgroup on Workforce and Small Business Recovery project options. This is not recommended as the presentation brings forward subject matter presentations to address impacts and recovery options from the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Approve any of the identified project options for funding, and direct staff to return with the necessary action items to allocate Solano County ARPA SLFRF funds to the specific Board approved project, approve Appropriations Transfer Requests to establish the project budget, and take other necessary action.
3. Direct staff to remove any or all project options presented from future consideration by the Board in determining ARPA SLFRF funding.
4. Direct the Subject Matter Workgroup to return with alternate project options or additional information on any of the project option presented.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Negative Economic Impacts Subject Matter Workgroup team included the Solano Economic Development Corporation, and the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center. Other agencies involved include the Department of Resource Management, First 5 Solano, Solano County Office of Education, Solano College, Department of Health and Social Services. A full list of organizations and agencies providing input and feedback on the recommendation package are outlined in the Subject Matter Workgroup Report.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE CAO RECOMMENDATION