Title
Adopt a resolution:
a. Approve increased appropriations of $50,000 for Social Services Military & Veterans Affairs 001-5010-SOC003-8260 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget to increase funding for the Homeless Veterans Stand Down event, financed by the Cannabis Tax Assignment, BSA 001-3132 (4/5ths vote required); and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations by $50,000 for Social Services Military & Veterans Affairs 001-5010-SOC003-8260 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget for the Homeless Veterans Stand Down event, financed by the Cannabis Tax Assignment, BSA 001-3132 (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to:
a. Approve increased appropriations of $50,000 for Social Services Military & Veterans Affairs 001-5010-SOC003-8260 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget to increase funding for the Homeless Veterans Stand Down event, financed by the Cannabis Tax Assignment, BSA 001-3132 (4/5ths vote required); and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations by $50,000 for Social Services Military & Veterans Affairs 001-5010-SOC003-8260 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget for the Homeless Veterans Stand Down event, financed by the Cannabis Tax Assignment, BSA 001-3132 (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Homeless Veterans Stand Down occurs bi-annually on even years and coordination with volunteers and services entities to provide a variety of necessary free services such as legal, medical, and dental services which requires up to 18 months of planning and 6 months of follow-up on services and support. However, due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID Pandemic, the 2020 Stand Down was cancelled. A small one-day Stand Down was provided on June 18th, 2021. The Department currently has $50,000 of appropriations in the Military & Veterans Affairs Budget; however, the contractor needs additional funding for the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Homeless Veterans Stand Down which will cost $100,000 for a 3-day event. The FY 2022 Stand Down is scheduled for June 17-19, 2022 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and will be coordinated by the Veterans Transition Center (VTC) of Monterey County. This is the 5th Stand Down coordinated by VTC.
The FY 2022 Monterey County Homeless Veterans Stand Down is a three-day resource event that provides wraparound services to Monterey County homeless veterans. Veterans are housed and fed for two nights/three days on the Monterey County Fairgrounds in a secure location and provided new clothing and hygiene materials. Veterans will have access to a variety of services such as: legal services, social services, VA benefit advocacy/claim filing, medical, dental and behavioral health services, DMV dispute resolution, animal health services, housing access services, financial services, religious/spiritual guidance, substance abuse recovery meetings, and employment counseling services.
Military & Veterans Affairs is recommending an increase in funding for this year only, to be able to put on the standard 3-day event since the VTC was only able to put on a 1-day event over the last three years due to the Pandemic. If additional funding is not approved, then the event will be scaled back to a 1-day event again.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office - Budget Office reviewed the recommended actions. The item is scheduled to be considered on the February 23, 2022 Budget Committee agenda.
FINANCING:
The Military & Veterans Affairs Office is requesting an additional $50,000 to support the Monterey County Homeless Veterans “Stand Down” for June 2022, increasing the overall budget total to $100,000 in the current fiscal year, which is the typical cost of putting on a bi-annual stand down. Monterey County sub-contracts the planning and facilitating of the stand down to the Veterans Transition Center of Monterey County. The Department is requesting an increase in appropriations of $50,000 in the Military & Veterans Affairs SOC003 Budget; financed by a corresponding reduction of $50,000 from the Cannabis Tax Assignment, BSA 001-3132. Approval of the request would reduce the Cannabis Tax Assignment balance to $19,862,131.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The requested action correlates to the Health & Human Services and Public Safety Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing critical services and support to homeless veterans in a safe and secure setting.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Becky Cromer, Interim Finance Director, x 4404
Approved by: Jason Cameron, Director of the Military & Veterans Affairs Office, x7613
Attachments: Resolution
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board