Title
a. Consider a recommendation from the Legislative Committee to adopt the 2024 Legislative Program, Legislative Workshop Agenda, Strategic Grant Services Program, and authorize development and submission of potential FY25 Federal Budget requests (aka “earmarks”);
b. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP, the County’s federal legislative advocate;
c. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s state legislative advocate;
d. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s grant consultant; and
e. Provide direction to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Consider a recommendation from the Legislative Committee to adopt the 2024 Legislative Program, Legislative Workshop Agenda, Strategic Grant Services Program, and authorize development and submission of potential FY25 Federal Budget requests (aka “earmarks”);
b. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP, the County’s federal legislative advocate;
c. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s state legislative advocate;
d. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s grant consultant; and
e. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Legislative Committee, staff has prepared the 2024 Legislative Program, 2024 Legislative Workshop Agenda, 2024 Strategic Grant Services Program, and a list of potential projects for staff to develop and submit if offered that opportunity as part of the FY25 Federal Budget - “earmark requests”. The Legislative Committee recommended that the Board take these actions at their December 11, 2023, meeting. The program documents are updated annually and once adopted by the Board guide the County’s legislative and funding advocacy efforts throughout the year. Additionally, the Board will receive annual reports from the County’s state and federal legislative and funding advocates on 2023 activities and a report on potential major issues in 2024.
DISCUSSION:
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs (IGLA) Division is charged with the development and execution of the County’s Legislative Program and Strategic Grant Services Program. Each year, IGLA staff works with the Board, County departments, and the County’s state and federal legislative and funding advocates, under the direction of the Legislative Committee to craft the programs. The programs are designed to support the Board’s Strategic Initiatives, reflect the Board’s interests and priorities, and work together to advocate for funding through state and federal programs which translate into local grant funding opportunities.
2024 Legislative Program
Every other year the Board adopts a two-year legislative program which aligns with the two-year cycles of the State Legislature and Congress. The County of Monterey maintains a long-standing and successful Legislative Program, ensuring that the interests of the County are well represented in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. The program provides the County a voice in State and Federal funding and policy decision-making and ensures that County leaders are apprised of evolving initiatives impacting the County and its residents. Once adopted, the Legislative Program provides authority to advocate in support or defense of issues, enabling actions to be taken quickly to protect or defend the County’s interests.
The Legislative Program addresses a multitude of County priorities related to economic development, administration, health and human services, infrastructure, and public safety. County policy concerns are most often centered on resources to carry out state and local service responsibilities, the authority to carry out those responsibilities in local communities, and partnerships with the State and Federal governments. The Program also highlights several top legislative and funding priorities to focus on in 2024.
The 2024 Legislative Program is attached as Exhibit A.
A redline version of the program and summary of major changes is attached as Exhibit B.
2024 Legislative Workshop Agenda
On an annual basis, the Board of Supervisors hosts a Legislative Workshop (a special meeting) with the County’s state and federal legislative representatives to discuss the County’s priority issues for the next year. The Legislative Workshop is scheduled on Friday, February 2, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will be conducted both in person at the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers (Monterey County Government Center, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas, CA) and via Zoom.
Legislative Workshop participants will include the Board of Supervisors, appropriate County department heads to make the County presentations, and the following elected officials and/or their staff representatives: Senator Alex Padilla; Senator Laphonza Butler; Congressman Jimmy Panetta; Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren; Senator Anna Caballero; Senator John Laird; Assemblymember Robert Rivas; and Assemblymember Dawn Addis.
The proposed Legislative Workshop agenda focuses on: 1) presentations on the County’s 2024 Legislative Priorities by County departments; 2) remarks from each state/federal legislator or their staff representative of their priorities for 2023; and 3) remarks from each member of the Board of Supervisors on County priorities.
A draft Legislative Workshop Agenda for Board approval and related information on Monterey County’s 2024 Legislative Priorities is attached as Exhibit C.
FY25 Federal Budget Requests
In 2021, Congress revived Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known in the House of Representatives as Community Project Funding requests (earmarks). Earmarks are small grants to specific programs and projects in congressional districts.
In the FY24 appropriations process the County submitted nine earmark requests. The FY24 appropriations process is ongoing, and four of the County’s projects totaling approximately $6 million are continuing to move forward (see Exhibit E - 2023 Federal Legislative Report).
It is currently unknown if the County will be invited to submit earmark requests in the FY25 appropriations cycle. Requirements for project submission are quite rigorous including detailed project summary and description, funding details, demonstration of community support, estimated start and completion dates, etc. Pending further guidance from Congress, the Legislative Committee recommends that the County move forward as if there will be an opportunity so that we can liaise with appropriate congressional staff and be prepared to quickly submit earmark requests if the process is opened (potentially in March 2024).
The Legislative Committee recommends that the Board authorize the County’s legislative team work with County departments and our federal delegation to develop the following projects for submission in the FY25 appropriations process:
• Family Justice Center (FJC)
• Salinas Skate Park and BMX Pump Track
• Fort Ord Blight Removal
• Pajaro County Sanitation District (PCSD) Sewer System Improvements
• Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement Project (CRFREE)
• San Lucas Drinking Water
• Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) Supplemental Well Rehabilitation/Replacement
• Next Generation Radio Network (NGEN) System Upgrades
2024 Strategic Grant Services Program
The Strategic Grants Service Program assists in funding efforts on some of the County’s high priority projects. Working with County departments, the program coordinates, facilitates and provides strategic expertise from the identification of grant funding opportunities through application submittal. Priority projects must align with the Board’s Strategic Initiatives and Legislative Program goals and meet all grant requirements to submit a strong and competitive application.
The 2024 Strategic Grant Services Program is resourced to work on 10-15 grants per year, varying depending on their complexity. Once adopted by the Board, the Legislative Committee provides routine program guidance and direction. The Program consists of a 12-month Work Plan and a Grant Needs Inventory to guide research for potential funding opportunities. The 2024 Strategic Grant Services Program is included as Exhibit D.
Annual Reports
The annual reports provided by the County’s federal, and state legislative advocates and grant consultant highlight activities undertaken on behalf of the County during 2023, and their oral presentations will focus on anticipated major issues or projects for 2024. Reports will be provided by:
• Maria Tripplaar, Ballard Spahr LLP - Federal Legislative Advocate - Exhibit E
• Ashley Walker, Nossaman LLP - State Legislative Advocate - Exhibit F
• Ashley Walker, Nossaman LLP - Grant Consultant - Exhibit G
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division prepared this report. Significant contributions to the development of the programs were made by the Legislative Committee, County department heads/staff, and the County’s state and federal legislative advocates and grant consultant.
FINANCING:
The Legislative Program and Strategic Grant Services Programs are funded by the County Administrative Office (Department 1050) - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division (Unit 8054). Approval of the recommendations contained in this report will have no impact on the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The Legislative Program and Strategic Grants Services Program work to advance all categories of the Board’s Strategic Initiatives.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
_x_ Economic Development
_x_ Administration
_x_ Health & Human Services
_x_ Infrastructure
_x_ Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Legislative Program Manager, x3045
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant CAO, x5145
Attachments:
Board Report
Exhibit A - 2024 Legislative Program
Exhibit B - Summary of Changes/Redline Version of 2024 Legislative Program
Exhibit C - 2024 Legislative Workshop Agenda
Exhibit D - 2024 Strategic Grant Services Program
Exhibit E - 2023 Annual Federal Legislative Report
Exhibit F - 2023 Annual State Legislative Report
Exhibit G - 2023 Annual Strategic Grant Services Program Report
PowerPoint