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Authorize the County’s contribution of $1,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit Rebuilding Together, Solano County chapter
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Thomson requests that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County’s contribution of $1,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit Rebuilding Together, Solano County chapter.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Justification:
Rebuilding Together fills a pressing need in our communities. The rising cost of living and falling social service budgets have left some of our most vulnerable neighbors without the most basic of necessities, a warm, safe, and dry home.
The nation is facing enormous problems, many of which have reached crisis level. The low-income homeowners that Rebuilding Together serves are disproportionately affected by these issues. Homeownership is at an all-time high, especially among low to mid-income Americans, and the costs of owning and maintaining a home are growing exponentially. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, leaving low-income citizens with less and less disposable income for home repairs and modifications.
Rebuilding Together focuses on the issues of homeownership, the elderly, the disabled, families with children, healthcare, and the rising federal deficit. By identifying the challenges associated with these issues we are well placed to face a problem with full understanding and to create real, sustainable solutions for the low-income homeowners we serve.
From June 2009 through November 2019, more than 12,000 Rebuilding Together volunteers have rehabilitated 40 homes for low-income homeowners (seniors/military/disabled) and
held more than 50 community facility workdays in Solano County. Rebuilding Together has installed more than 2,200 smoke and 600 carbon monoxide alarms benefiting 750 mobile home residents. The estimated value of work is more than $6,000,000.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the 2019/20 budget hearings, the Board appropriated $25,000, $5,000 to each supervisorial district, to allow Board members to support community service programs. The Board directed County Counsel to provide guidelines on how to recommend funding for qualifying agencies or programs. The guidelines are as follows:
1) Each supervisor must submit the proposed expenditure to the County Counsel and the Auditor/Controller for initial review.
2) The Board must approve the expenditure by a majority vote.
3) The Board must determine that the expenditure is for a public purpose.
4) The Board may authorize an expenditure of public funds to a nonprofit organization so long as the County retains ultimate control over the exercise of judgment and discretion of the intended program.
5) To ensure accountability, all expenditures are subject to periodic audit by the Auditor/Controller; and
a) If the recipient provides an activity, program or service (“activity”), it shall provide an activity report within 30 days of the activity that states the number of persons attending (if applicable) or participating activities carried out, feedback from participants (if applicable) and benefits of the activity. The recipient’s failure to provide a report may result in its being considered ineligible for future funding.
b) If the recipient is purchasing property or making improvements, it shall use the funds for only the specified purposes and allow representatives of the county to inspect and/or audit the purchase or the contractor’s performance, the facility or the portion improved with the funds and/or the records pertaining to the expenditures. The recipient shall retain for inspection and audit purposes any and all books, receipts, documentation and other records of the expenditures for three (3) years from date of receiving funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This expenditure is included in the District 5 FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the District 5 FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to authorize this expenditure. However, this is not recommended as this item is consistent with Board policy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in coordination with the County Administrator’s Office, County Auditor-Controller’s Office and County Counsel.