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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04221997 - C94 (2) T9: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM. Phil Batchelor t^' County Administrator � j as Costa x� County DATE: April 15, 1997 , *° '+ ° 'r l SUBJECT: Concerns With Federal/State Administration of Disaster Assistance programs SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION Authorize Board Chairman to sign letters to the County's State and Federal legislative delegations expressing concerns about the administration of disaster assistance programs, particularly the application of eligibility requirements and proposed changes in FEMA regulations which would result in shifting more of the cost of disaster recovery to local governments. BACKGROUND Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, local governments are eligible for federal financial assistance toward the cost of responding to and recovering from disasters. Eligible items include debris removal, emergency protective measures, road repairs and repair/restoration of public buildings and equipment. All local government agencies are eligible for such assistance, ie, counties, cities and special districts. In addition, some non-profit agencies are also eligible. FEMA pays 75% of eligible costs with the remaining 25% being shared by the State (18 .75%) and local government (6. 25%) . In response to Congressional concerns about the amount of federal disaster assistance which has been paid out to state and local governments over the last several years, FEMA has administered the Stafford Act regulations in such a manner so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA Director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The recent CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): n ACTION OF BOARD ON G A A. Q �� . 9_1 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER APPROVED the recommendations as set forth above and DIRECTED staff to forward copies of these documents and letters to the Mayors' Conference. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTED Contact: PHIL BATC LOR,CLERK OF THE BOARb OF cc: QES SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY . `�--� DEPUTY floods have rekindled the concern about how disaster assistance claims will be handled. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. Such changes would further limit the types of disaster related costs for which states and local governments could be reimbursed. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. California State Senator K. Maurice Johannessen is playing a very active role in opposing the inconsistent eligibility determinations being made by FEMA and has recommended that local governments inform their State and Congressional representatives of their concerns about this matter. The Executive Director of the California State Association of Counties has also recommended such action and this recommendation was re-enforced at a recent joint meeting of County Administrative Officers and County Emergency Service Directors. A major disaster, such as a large earthquake on the Hayward Fault, would cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources available, local agencies would not be able to undertake a comprehensive recovery effort without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Our legislative representatives need to know of our concerns. cc: U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer U. S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Congressman George Miller Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher State Senator Barbara Lee State Senator Richard Rainey Assemblywoman Dion Aroner Assemblywoman Lynne Leach Assemblyman Tom Torlakson State Senator K. Maurice Johannessen 'The Board of Supervisors ContraCl"of the Board and" County Administration Buildingt Countynddnvnistrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 C o St a (510)335-1 OW Martinez,Qdifomia 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,let District s --- drtyls B.Monte,2nd District �£- ,=`•q� Donne Gerber,3rd District Mark DOSeuNrler,4th District Joe Canclarnft,5th District o=: ST'9 COUPt'� April 15, 1997 Assemblyman Tom Torlakson State Capitol Sacramento, CA. 95814 Dear Assemblyman Torlakson: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contral�'� County Administration Building Go' Sta county ndrninistrator 651 Pine Street,Room 106 (510)335-IOW Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogere,tat District Gayle B.Memo,2nd District Donne Gerber,3rd District :f -- iWrk DeSmWer,4th District r - Joe Canciamilis,5th District Sr'9-cou" April 15, 1997 .Assemblywoman Lynne Leach State Capitol Sacramento, CA. 94249 Dear Assemblywoman Leach: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of' complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will. no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The 'Board of Supervisors Contra ��'Batchelor Board County Administration Building + Co'i'f'Ad"'inWM1ot 651 Pine Street,Room 106 oSta (510)335-1900 Martinez,Calffomia 94553-1293 County Jim Ropers,1st District Gayle B.Uilkems,2nd District Donna Garber,3rd District Mark DeSaulnier,4th District n. - Jos Canclamiiia,5th District Sr'4 COU'N'f' April 15, 1997 Assemblywoman Dion Aroner State Capitol PO Box 942849 Sacramento, CA. 94249 Dear Assemblywoman Aroner: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local ,agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contra �rk�� and County Administration BuildingCountyAdministretor 651 Pine Street,Room 106 Costa (510)335-19W Martinez,Caldomia 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1st Distrid Gayle B.Uilkeme,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd DWW t Mark DsSauinler,4th District Joe Cancfamllla,5th District ST-4 COU1'j April 15, 1997 Senator Richard Rainey State Capitol Sacramento, CA. 95814 Dear Senator Rainey: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will. no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government inf=rastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, WAAex- Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of SupervisorsContra �r'�Board and County Administration BuildingCo�+ta CountyAdrmrnstrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 �s77 (510)335-1900 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1 at District Gayis B.Mom,2nd District e------------ Donne ----Donne Gerber,3rd District . Mark DeSsubder,4th District '4 Joe Can landlia,5th District O Srq couri'� April 15, 1997 Senator Barbara Lee State Capitol Sacramento, CA. 95814 Dear Senator Lee: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U. S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1,000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contra clenk�helor d and County Administration BuildingC o sta county Abrninistrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (510)ass-19°° Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Ropera,1st District s e L Gayle S.Uilkema,2nd District Oonna Garber,3rd District f Writ DeSaulnier,4th District _ I Joe Canclarnilla,5th District ST'4 COON'S April 15, 1997 Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher 1440 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Tauscher: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of SupervisorsContra �'�'� and County Administration Building Costa County Administrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (510)335.1900 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Ropers,1st District J SE_L Gayle B.U111mme,2nd District 0�-= Donna Garber,3rd District ;: .. f Mark DeSaulnler,4th District Joe Canclamilla,5th District ST'9 COU2;� April 15, 1997 Senator Dianne Feinstein 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Feinstein: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1,000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will. no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contra �rk�� and County Administration BuildingCOSta County Administrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (510)335-19W Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Roga ,tst District s e c Gayle B.Mom,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd District f -` Mark DsSsulnier,4th District ; Joe Canclarniils,5th District ST'4 COUt�'� April 15, 1997 Senator Barbara Boxer 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Boxer: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of. Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will. no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contra �rk�� arld County Administration Building Co, sta County Adrnmwtrator 651 Pine Street,Room 106 (510)335-1900 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jinn Ropers,1 at District a e L Ca"B.Uilkema,2nd District Donna Gobs,3rd District Mark DwSsulnbr.4th District ' Jos Canclandlia.5th District 0 SrA.�ouK April 15, 1997 Congressman George Miller 2205 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-0507 Dear Congressman Miller: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will. no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, MA,ekc Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contra �;��� County Administration Building Costa County�;�mr 651 Pine Street,Room 106 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1st Distrid Caeyle B.Uilkems,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd District f Mark DeSsulnler,4th District Joe Canclarniila,5th District n' s x S�'4 COLJIY'� April 15, 1997 State Senator K. Maurice Johannessen State Capitol Sacramento, CA. 95814 Dear Senator Johannessen: The purpose of this letter is to let you know of our concerns about the administration of federal disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has been administering the Stafford Act regulations so as to restrict eligibility for disaster assistance and to discourage applicants. California was subjected to FEMA's arbitrary decisions and retroactive application of policies following the 1995 floods. As a result, a letter of complaint was sent to the FEMA director jointly by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, County Engineers Association of California and the California Association of Flood Control Agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office has submitted a report to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, which reviews FEMA's procedures for determining the eligibility of states and local governments for federal disaster assistance and makes recommendations for enacting stricter eligibility criteria. The bottom line is that more of the cost of disaster recovery will be shifted to states and local governments. In addition to the actions being taken at the federal level, the California State Office of Emergency Services has recently abandoned its previous disaster assistance eligibility criteria for the more stringent FEMA criteria. New policies related to the state's funding share of federally declared disasters were set forth in a September 1996 memo from the State OES Director. No longer will the state reimburse a local government for certain disaster costs which are determined ineligible by FEMA. The state will only pay its portion of the non-federal share of those costs deemed eligible for funding by FEMA. For example, repair projects of less than $1, 000 will no longer be funded by the state if not eligible for federal funding and Indirect Cost Rate Proposals and regular time force account labor will no longer be eligible for state reimbursement at all. Major disasters cause millions of dollars of damage to local government infrastructure. With the very limited financial resources of local governments, local agencies would not be able to undertake comprehensive recovery efforts without substantial federal and state disaster assistance:. It is vital that these assistance programs not be eroded. Very truly yours, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af