To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: Resolution Designating Authorized Agents for Purposes of Federal Financial Cost Recovery through CalOES
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution designating the County Administrator, Chief Assistant County Administrator(s), County Finance Director and Public Works Director as agents of the County for purposes of obtaining federal financial assistance for any existing or future disaster declaration through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) related to disaster cost recovery operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
On March 31, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2020/112, which, among other things, designated the County Administrator, Chief Assistant County Administrator(s), and the County Finance Director to serve as agents of the County for purposes of obtaining certain federal finance assistance as part of disaster response protocols. This included authorization to process reimbursement claims from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), pursuant to Public Law 93-288 as amended by the Robert T. Stafford Act. The Board's authorization resulted in filing CalOES Form 130 "Designation of Applicant's Agent Resolution for Non-State Agencies" with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. In addition to identifying agents of the County, CalOES Form 130 allows jurisdictions to indicate whether the authority delegated to agents is universal for a period of three years, or specific to a particular disaster declaration (such as COVID-19, storms, etc.). The Board authorized universal authority because that provides the most flexibility to the County during times of emergency. The three-year period of universal authority expired on March 31, 2023, and the Board subsequently renewed the universal authorization by adopting Resolution No. 2023/160 on April 24, 2023. It is now necessary to renew that authority to continue processing current and future federal financial assistance claims for an additional three-year period.
Today's action recommends that the Board of Supervisors renew the delegation of authority for another three-year period for certain County Administrator and Public Works staff, since both departments facilitate cost recovery operations during disaster response activities. This authorization will apply to any current and future financial recovery efforts with CalOES and FEMA over the three-year authorization period.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will be unable to process documents required by CalOES related to certain federal financial assistance cost recovery claims for current and future disaster declarations.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
Designating Authorized Agents for Purposes of Federal Financial Cost Recovery through the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2020/112 designating certain agents for the purposes of obtaining federal financial assistance during disaster recovery operations and elected universal authorization for a three-year period; and
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2023, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2023/160 renewing that authorization for an additional three-year period; and
WHEREAS, the County undertakes cost recovery efforts from time-to-time related to the states of emergency, including making certain applications for federal financial assistance; and
WHEREAS, the most recent three-year authorization has expired, and it is necessary to renew authorization for certain agents to act on behalf of the County to obtain federal financial assistance related to past, present and potential future disasters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa:
1. The County Administrator, Chief Assistant County Administrator(s), County Finance Director and Public Works Director are authorized to serve as agents of the County for purposes of obtaining federal financial assistance related to disaster recovery.
2. This authorization is universal and encompasses all past, present and future disasters for a three-year period as provided for by CalOES Form 130, included as Exhibit A to this Resolution.
3. The County Administrator, or designee, is directed to file this Resolution, inclusive of Exhibit A (CalOES Form 130) with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and take any and all subsequent actions necessary to maximize federal financial assistance for disasters impacting the County of Contra Costa.