Title
Adopt a Resolution Which (a) Elects to Receive 2013 Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act (SRSCA) Funding; and (b) Elects to Use 100-percent of the funds received for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution electing (a) to receive 2013 Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act (SRSCA) funding and (b) to use 100-percent of the funds received for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA.
SUMMARY:
This action would approve the election to receive funds from the U.S. Forest Service under the one year reauthorization of the SRSCA and to use 100-percent of the funds received for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA.
DISCUSSION:
In 1908, congress enacted law requiring 25 percent of the revenues derived from National Forest lands be paid to states for use by counties in which the lands are situated for the benefit of public schools and roads. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was enacted and re-authorized for FY 2008 - 2011 ("SRS2008"). Under SRS2008, the County elected to receive a guaranteed share of the dollars apportioned to the State of California. The attached Table 1 shows the guaranteed amounts upon which the Board made its prior elections as compared to the actual amounts received.
As illustrated in the attached Table 1, in 2011 the U.S. Forest Service notified County staff that the guaranteed payment projections originally provided to the County on which to base its initial election were erroneous. The result was a 2011 payment of $21,562. Staff noted the discrepancy in a letter to both the US Forest Service and the California State Association of Counties in September 2011 but no additional action was taken by either organization.
On July 6, 2012, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was reauthorized for federal fiscal year 2012. The one-year reauthorization of the SRSCA required that each county in which a national forest is located elect whether to receive a guaranteed payment or a percentage of the State's 25-percent payment. Comparing the guaranteed amount for FY 2012 to the calculation of the State's 25 percent payment the County elected to receive the guaranteed amount for FY 2012. Additionally, the County designated utilizing 100% of its share for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA.
On October 2, 2013, Congress passed an additional one year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act as part of HR 527, the Helium Stewardship Act (which amended the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserves). For FY 2013, the projected State's 25-percent payment share would be $29,043 (the same as for FY 2012) and the projected guaranteed amount for FY 2013 is $34,400. Therefore, staff recommends the County elect to receive a guaranteed share of the dollars apportioned to the State of California.
Because the County will receive an amount less than $100,000, the SRSCA requires that the County must also elect to use 100-percent of its share for public roads and schools under Title I of the Act. If the County fails to make this election, 80 percent of the County's payment may be used for public schools and roads, but the remaining 20-percent would be available to the Forest Service to carry out Title II projects (projects that benefit Federal lands) in the County. Under the SRSCA, the County is not required to allocate any dollars to Title III projects (public safety County projects on Federal lands).
Therefore, in addition to electing to receive 2013 SRSCA funds, staff also recommends that the County elect to use 100% of the funds it receives for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Board of Supervisors' elections for 2013 SRSCA funding will be sent to the California State Association of Counties and Rural County Representatives of California which will submit all California County elections to Governor Jerry Brown's Office by December 31, 2013. The State will then transmit these elections for all affected counties within California to the National US Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management Office designated by the respective federal service.
FINANCING:
The County should receive SRSCA funding in the estimated amount of $34,400. Pursuant to the Resolution, one hundred percent of the funds received will be used on Title I projects under the SRSCA.
Prepared by: Approved by:
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Patty Maitland Dewayne Woods
Principal Administrative Analyst Assistant County Administrative Officer
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Attachments: 1) Table 1; and 2) Resolution