Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5 Vote
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Appropriation Transfer Request for “Great Plates Delivered” program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $20,000,000, recognizing unanticipated revenue to Non-Departmental Services to fund the expenditures of the Great Plates Delivered Program.
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BACKGROUND:
The Great Plates Delivered program is a meal delivery service to help seniors and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering to them three nutritious meals each day. The program also provides essential economic stimulus to local food services businesses struggling to stay afloat during this public health crisis. Through April 6, 2021, the program has served 4,428 participants in San Mateo County with 2,081,460 meals and added $45,792,120 into the local food service industry.
On March 23, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution Number 078075, to authorize amendments to the agreements between the County and 63 participating restaurants and food providers to extend their participation in the Great Plates Delivered program through June 30, 2021 and to increase the maximum amount payable by the County to thee participating businesses to an aggregate amount not to exceed $56,501,000.
Due to recent changes at the federal level, the program is now funded 100% by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the federal funds for the program pass through the California Office of Emergency Management Services (CalOES) to the County. Since the inception of the program in April 2020, CalOES has secured from FEMA monthly extensions on the County’s behalf to continue operating this emergency program. While the program is presently slated to run through May 7, 2021, CalOES has indicated to the County that it remains optimistic that FEMA will continue partnering with the State and local entities to make this program reimbursable so long as there remains a need to provide meals and to reinforce social distancing measures to populations in need during the pandemic.
DISCUSSION:
The County does not know how long the Great Plates Delivered Program will remain in place and the continuation of the program is contingent on FEMA approval and funding. Due to the uncertain term of the program, it is difficult to appropriately budget revenues and corresponding expenditures for it. County staff has determined that if the program continues to be funded, it will be necessary to appropriate an additional $20,000,000 in the Non Departmental Budget to continue paying Great Plates Delivered vendors for services performed through June 30, 2021. This appropriation will be funded through cost-reimbursement from FEMA.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this memorandum as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ATR recognizes an additional $20,000,000 in FEMA funds to be expended for the purpose of the Great Plates Delivered program. There is no Net County Cost associated with this action.