REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 23, 2020
FROM
GARY McBRIDE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Budget Adjustment for Readiness and Recovery Plan and COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments to the 2020-21 Budget, as identified in the Financial Impact Section, to establish budget authority to continue funding for the costs associated with the Readiness and Recovery Plan, including the COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program. (Four Votes Required).
(Presenter: Gary McBride, Chief Executive Officer, 387-5417)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item is not anticipated to result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The funding for these programs was originally authorized by the Board on May 7, 2020 (Item No. 1) and are anticipated to be funded through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief funds. However, to continue the approved program into 2020-21, the Economic Development Department and Purchasing Department require additional budget authority to be carried over into the departments’ 2020-21 budgets. Necessary budget adjustments are detailed below:
|
Cost Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
6010001000 |
40509198 |
Relief Fund Distribution |
Increase |
$22,500,000 |
|
6010001000 |
52002445 |
Other Professional & Specialized Services |
Increase |
$500,000 |
|
6010001000 |
53003305 |
Contribution to Other Agencies |
Increase |
$22,000,000 |
|
7610001000 |
40509198 |
Relief Fund Distribution |
Increase |
$200,000 |
|
7610001000 |
52002306 |
Emergency Supplies |
Increase |
$2,700,000 |
|
7610001000 |
40709810 |
COVID-19 Cost Reimbursement |
Increase |
$2,500,000 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The COVID-19 virus originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and began spreading, initially, within China and then to other countries. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a “public health emergency of international concern”. This was followed on January 31, 2020 by the United States Human Services Secretary declaring a public health emergency. Cases internationally, within the US and within California (as evidenced by the Governor’s Proclamation) continue to rise.
On March 4, 2020, the State of California declared a state of emergency as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak due to the rising number of confirmed cases and anticipated complications for those infected, including potential deaths. On March 10, 2020, the County Public Health Officer declared a local health emergency to help ensure county government and the public were prepared for the possibility that COVID-19 will appear within the county. On March 10, 2020 (Item No. 75), the County proclaimed the existence of a local emergency within San Bernardino County resulting from COVID-19, which causes infectious disease resulting in symptoms of fever, coughing and shortness of breath with outcomes ranging from mild to severe illness and in some cases, death.
The COVID-19 pandemic is significantly impacting the County of San Bernardino’s business community. The Readiness and Recovery Plan outlines the County’s efforts, current and ongoing, on monitoring, measures, metrics, strategies, and outcomes, and includes information on the COVID Recovery Coalition and COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program.
Through the COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program, the County has committed $30 million in funding to support small businesses with up to 100 employees in San Bernardino County to help with costs and impacts related to COVID-19. Businesses are required to apply for the funding and commit to being and remaining COVID-19 compliant with State and County health requirements and guidelines. As part of the Readiness and Recovery Plan, the Purchasing Agent is authorized to make purchases of safety guards at workstations, protective clothing, face coverings, disinfecting supplies, hand sanitizers and gloves to assist businesses in reopening while maintaining sanitary protocols and social distancing guidelines. These businesses are to reimburse the County for costs related to these supplies. It is anticipated that these purchases will not exceed $7.5 million. Approval of the recommendation will establish budget authority for these previously approved programs in the 2020-21 fiscal year and allow payments associated with these programs to continue uninterrupted.
PROCUREMENT
Not Applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Michelle Blakemore, County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 18, 2020; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Erika Gomez, General Accounting Manager, 382-3196) on June 18, 2020; Finance (Stephenie Shea, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919, Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412, and Joon Cho, Administrative Analyst, 387-5402) on June 18, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on June 18, 2020.