HomeMy WebLinkAbout082420_ra05 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Mark McCauley, Central Services Director
DATE: August 24,2020
SUBJECT: Request that the Board of County Commissioners delegate to the
County Administrator, Philip Morley, authority to execute CARES Act
Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Sub-recipient Grant Agreements on
behalf of the Board as a means of expediting the distribution of CRF
funds in order to meet the October 31, 2020 reimbursement deadline
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The County has been allocated CARES Act funding from the
federal government through the Washington State Department of Commerce. The County has
determined that some of these funds can be shared with local governments, businesses and non-
profits to help meet Covid-19 related financial impacts on the community. The County (and any
subrecipients) has until October 31, 2020 to distribute these funds in order to be eligible for
reimbursement.
Staff requests that the Board of County Commissioners delegate to the County Administrator,
Philip Morley, authority to execute CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Sub-recipient
Grant Agreements on behalf of the Board as a means of expediting the distribution of CRF funds
in order to meet the October 31, 2020 reimbursement deadline (or any deadline extension the
State may issue).
ANALYSIS: A portion of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds allocated to Jefferson County
are available to provide financial assistance to the broader community. The best, most expedient
method to ensure funds are distributed in a timely and transparent way is to enter into CARES
Act CRF subrecipient agreements with local governments and non-profit entities dedicated to
economic development, housing assistance, food support, and public health and welfare. Most of
these organizations in Jefferson County are familiar with accountability and documentation
requirements of state and federal funds. Because of the time imperative to use CARES Act CRF
funds, a number of subrecipient agreements will need to be executed between Jefferson County
and these local entities in the very near future so that CARES Act dollars can all be spent or
obligated and billed within the State's deadline (currently October 31).
The County is seeking input from six community groups, among others, that were created to
assess and build community recovery and resilience in the face of the COVID-19 public health
emergency. These community groups are well suited to identify priority areas where CARES Act
CRF dollars are needed. Engagement with these six groups began on Thursday, August 20, 2020,
in order for these groups to formulate their recommendations and provide input by September 4,
2020. Staff will then work with the Board of Commissioners to make allocation decisions for
the CRF funds, tentatively scheduled for September 14, 2020.
This leaves little time before October 31, to enter into subrecipient agreements, and for sub-
recipients to distribute the funds. Delegating authority to the County Administrator to approve
these subrecipient agreements will expedite the distribution of these funds and increases the
likelihood that they will be spent in time to be reimbursed.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners approve the request that
the Board of County Commissioners delegate to the County Administrator, Philip Morley,
authority to execute CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund Sub-recipient Grant Agreements on
behalf of the Board as a means of expediting the distribution of CARES funds in order to meet
the October 31, 2020 reimbursement deadline (or any deadline extension the State may issue).
REVIEWED Y:
i ip Morley , C u dmini rator Date