HomeMy WebLinkAbout041921_ca10 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Consent Agenda Request
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Mark McCauley, Central Services Director
Andy Rowlson, Human Resources Manager
DATE: April 19, 2021
RE: Approval to recruit for a financial manager to help the County manage the 2021
American Rescue Plan funds the County expects to receive in 2021 and 2022
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The recently enacted 2021 American Rescue Plan allocates some $65
billion in funds to America's county governments. Jefferson County's estimated share of this
amount is $6.3 million. To help manage the $2.392 million the County received in CARES Act
funding Patty Charnas, our recently departed Community Development Director, was detailed
as the Covid-19 Finance Section Chief. The County doesn't have that option now. Nevertheless,
the County needs help managing these newly approved funds.
ANALYSIS: In reviewing available options for managing these funds it became clear that the
County doesn't have the required bandwidth. Engaging with other public agencies and
community groups to document needs, ensuring needs align with authorized uses,
recommending funding amounts, drafting and staffing grant agreements, verifying invoices and
tracking amounts expended against approved contract amounts will be a considerable task that
will span the rest of 2021, all of 2022 and the early part of 2023.
The County needs to hire a well-qualified professional to help with this effort. To that end staff
has drafted a job description for this two-year term limited position. As this will require
additional budget we are requesting that the Board approve the recruitment and commit to
approving the associated budget in the 2nd Quarter Budget Supplemental in July. We believe
that this would be an authorized expenditure under the American Rescue plan. It would then be
budget neutral.
In addition to the American Rescue Financial Manager staff is exploring whether to recommend
hiring a dedicated administrative person to assist with processing invoices and tracking grant
agreement expenditures. This would also be a two-year limited term position. The Clerk to the
Board performed this role for CARES Act funding which was an enormous and unreasonable
burden on her.
FISCAL IMPACT: This request will cost somewhere between $101,000 and $136,000 depending
on the qualifications of the person being hired.This cost will be completely offset by American
Rescue Plan revenue. Budget authority will be requested in the 2nd Quarter Supplemental.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners approve the recruitment of an
American Rescue Plan Financial Manager.
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