HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2023-063• Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Report
File Number: AB2023-659
File ID: AB2023-659 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 09/29/2023 Entered by: AHaines@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: County Executive's File Type: Ordinance
Office
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 10/24/2023
Agenda Date: 10/24/2023 Enactment #: ORD 2023-063
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: kschottb@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance Establishing a Community Priorities Fund and Establishing an Initial Budget for the
Community Priorities Fund
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attachments
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
Sent To:
10/10/2023 Council
INTRODUCED
Council Finance and
Administrative Services
Committee
Aye:
7
Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas,
Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay:
0
10/24/2023 Council Finance and Administrative
RECOMMENDED FOR
Services Committee
ADOPTION
Aye:
3
Donovan, Frazey, and Kershner
Nay:
0
10/24/2023 Council ADOPTED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1012512023
Agenda Big Report Continued (AB2023-659)
Attachments: Staff memo, Proposed Ordinance
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1012512023
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
PROPOSED: EXECUTIVE
INTRODUCTION DATE: OCTOBER 10, 2023
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 - 063
Establishing a Community Priorities Fund and Establishing an Initial Budget for the
Community Priorities Fund
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2021 Whatcom County established the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) Fund (Fund 138) through Ordinance 2021-036; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County received $44,528,542 in federal ARPA funds from the
United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to Whatcom County Contract
202105020, which were deposited into Fund 138; and
WHEREAS, this funding must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by
December 31, 2026 to support response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public
health emergency; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County received $2,706,868 in funding under the Department
of the Treasury's Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF); and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council has approved expenditures for a range of
activities eligible under ARPA and LATCF guidance issued by the United States
Department of the Treasury, including but not limited to childcare capital, childcare
stabilization, housing capital, homeless services and shelter capital, criminal justice
staffing, public health, broadband, food security, and general government services;
and
WHEREAS, many of these priorities can be accomplished within the authorized uses
of the General Fund
WHEREAS, the County Council wishes to utilize a portion of unobligated ARPA and
LATCF funds to pay for eligible activities commonly funded by the County's general
fund; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these ARPA and LATCF eligible General Fund payment, the
County Council will achieve general fund savings; and
WHEREAS, the County is experiencing pressing community needs including but not
limited to a housing crisis, county infrastructure improvements, behavioral health
services shortages, and childcare shortages; and
WHEREAS, the County Council wishes to direct general fund savings toward these
and other emerging needs; and
Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
WHEREAS, creating a special revenue fund for this purpose will increase visibility
that these general fund savings are available for community; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that a new
fund is hereby established titled Community Priorities Fund. This fund shall be used
to account for the revenues and expenditures related to general fund savings
achieved through use of ARPA and LATCF for eligible general government services;
and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the fund is approved with an initial revenue
budget of $5,100,000, with expenditures to be budgeted at a later date, as
presented in attached Exhibit A.
,,h P day of October , 2023.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
TSfT� t_ x TCOM C NTY WASHINGTON
uncil
WHATCOM COUNTY EXEOUTIVE
APPROVED kSTO `FORM :
Approved by email/C. Quinn/A. Tan
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Page 2
arAM, Council Chair
WHATCOM COUNTY, W HINGTON
SA404
Satpal Sidh , County Executive
Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed:
Exhibit A
Supplemental Budget Request
Executive
Supp l !D # 4106 Fund Cost Center Originator. -Kayla Schott-Bresler
�........._....'..--------- -
Year 1 2023 Add'I FTE ❑ Priority
Name of Request: Establishing a Community Priorities Fund
X
Department Head Signature (Required on Hard Copy Submission) Date
Costs.,
Object Object Description
Amount Requested
8301 Operating Transfer In
($5,100,000)�
Request Total
($5,100,000)
la. Description of request:
This request is to establish a Community Priorities Fund using General Fund savings.
This request is related to supplementals 4243, 4245 and 4246.
On June 15, 2021 Whatcom County established the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund (Fund 138'
through Ordinance 2021-036. Whatcom County received $44,528,542 in federal ARPA funds from the
United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to Whatcom County Contract 202105020, which were
deposited into Fund 138. This funding must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December
31, 2026 to support response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Whatcon
County Council has approved expenditures for a range of activities eligible under ARPA guidance issued
by the United States Department of the Treasury, including but not limited to childcare capital, childcare
stabilization, housing capital, homeless services and shelter capital, criminal justice staffing, public health,
broadband, food security, and general government services. The County Council wishes to maximize
flexibility under the ARPA program by investing a portion of unobligated ARPA funds into activities
commonly funded by the County's general fund.
1b. Primary customers;
The community through childcare capital, childcare stabilization, housing capital, homeless services and
shelter capital, criminal justice staffing, public health, broadband, food security, and general government
services.
2. Problem to be solved:
Flexibility and ease of administration will be applied to the facilitation of ARPA funds for identified County
objectives which are based in community need.
3a. Options / Advantages:
ARPA revenue loss is the most restrictive funding source available for these objectives. ARPA funds must
be obligated by 12/31/24.
3b. Cost savings:
By using ARPA revenue loss funding, we will save less restricted funding sources (general fund, etc.) for
other uses.
4a. Outcomes:
The County will devote designated funding to identified objectives stated above based on program
timelines established during planning phases of the projects.
4b. Measures:
The County will identify metrics of success associated with planned programs under this fund and will
measure success as programs progress.
MotulaP, September 25, 2023 Rpr: Rpt Suppl Regular
Supplemental Budget Request
Executive
Sij-p 1D # 4I Fund Cost Center Originator: Kayla Schott-Bresler
............
- -
5a. Other Departments/Agencies:
For the Community Priorities Fund project, the Health Department will assist in the administration and
management of projects.
5b. Name the person in charge of implementation and what they are responsible for:
Ann Beck, Health Department
6. Funding Source:
General Fund 001.
Alonda , September 25, 2023 Rpr: Rpr SzrppI Regular