Title
Adopt a Resolution Electing to Receive 2012 Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act (SRSCA) Funding and Use 100 percent of the funds received for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt the resolution electing to receive 2012 Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act (SRSCA) funding and use 100 percent of the funds received for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA.
SUMMARY:
Approve the election to receive funds from the U.S. Forest Service under the one year reauthorization of the SRSCA and 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 as set forth in the table below.
Guaranteed
Payment Amount
FY2008 $ 33,486
FY 2009 $ 28,277
FY2010 $ 24,184
FY2011 $167,233
Total $253,179
However, 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 $20,366. 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. This one-year reauthorization of the SRSCA requires that each county in which a national forest is located must once again elect, no later than September 30, 2012, whether to receive a guaranteed payment or a percentage of the State's 25 percent payment. The guaranteed amount for 2012 for Monterey County, as estimated by the U.S. Forest Service, is $20,220. The calculation of the State's 25 percent payment is based on the 15.96% (311,173 acres) of Los Padres National Park located in Monterey County and a seven year rolling average of gross receipts from Los Padres which would result in a payment to Monterey County of approximately $14,700. Based on this analysis, staff recommends the County elect to receive payment under the SRSCA in the estimated amount of $20,220.
Because the County will receive an amount less than $100,000, the County must also elect to use 100 percent of its share for public roads and schools under Title I of the SRSCA. 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 2012 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 2012 SRSCA funding will be sent to Governor Jerry Brown's Office, or his designee, by September 30, 2012. 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 shall receive SRSCA funding in the estimated amount of $20,220. One-hundred percent of the funds received shall be used on Title I projects under the SRSCA.
Prepared by: Approved by:
Patty Maitland Dewayne Woods
Principal Analyst County Budget Director
Attachment: Resolution