Title
a. Consider adoption of the 2023-24 Legislative Program;
b. Consider adoption of the 2023 Legislative Workshop Agenda;
c. Consider adoption of the 2023 Strategic Grant Services Program;
d. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP, the County’s federal legislative advocate;
e. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s state legislative advocate;
f. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s grant consultant; and
g. Provide direction to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Consider adoption of the 2023-24 Legislative Program;
b. Consider adoption of the 2023 Legislative Workshop Agenda;
c. Consider adoption of the 2023 Strategic Grant Services Program;
d. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP, the County’s federal legislative advocate;
e. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s state legislative advocate;
f. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s grant consultant; and
g. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY
Under the direction of the Legislative Committee, staff has prepared the 2023-24 Legislative Program, 2023 Legislative Workshop Agenda, and 2023 Strategic Grant Services Program. These 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 2022 activities and a report on potential major issues in 2023.
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.
2023-2024 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. Monterey County 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/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 2023. The 2023-24 Legislative Program is attached as Exhibit A. A redline version of the program and summary of major changes is attached as Exhibit B.
2023 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, January 20, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 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 Dianne Feinstein; Senator Alex Padilla; 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 2023 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 2023 Legislative Priorities is attached as Exhibit C.
2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2022, and their oral presentations will focus on anticipated major issues or projects for 2023. Reports will be provided by:
• Brent R. Heberlee, 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 not result in additional General Fund contributions.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
The Legislative Program and Strategic Grants Services Program work to advance all categories of the Board’s Strategic Initiatives.
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer
Date: December 19, 2022
Attachments:
• Exhibit A - 2023-24 Legislative Program
• Exhibit B - Summary of Changes/Redline Version of 2023-24 Legislative Program
• Exhibit C - 2023 Legislative Workshop Agenda
• Exhibit D - 2023 Strategic Grant Services Program
• Exhibit E - 2022 Federal Legislative Report (Brent Heberlee, Ballard Spahr, LLP)
• Exhibit F - 2022 State Legislative Report (Ashley Walker, Nossaman, LLP)
• Exhibit G - 2022 Strategic Grant Services Program Annual Report (Ashley Walker, Nossaman, LLP)