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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04221997 - C94 Tn BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ����•-r _--°� Contra FROM: Phil Batchelor .; County Administrator z Costa County April 15 DATE: P i 1997 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): ACTION OF BOARD ON— G A f. 4 �9_ APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER APPROVM the recommendations as set forth above and DIRECTED staff to forward copies of these documents and letters to the Mayors' Conference. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X 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 BATCFVLOR,CLERK OF THE BOARb OF cc: (D SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY x '�_ �_� 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 net'Batchelor P Cd lira *Offt and County Administration Building ♦ County Administrator 651 Pine Street,Room 106 oS 1a ;:'`:` (510)335-1900 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1st District J Gayle B.Memo.2nd District Donna Garber.3rd Distrid •:' Mark DsSsulnler,4th District - Joe Camila,5th District ST'9 COUK� 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 Phil Batchelor The Board of Supervisors Contra Clerk of the Board County Administration Building countyndr inistrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Costa (510)335-19M Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Ropers,1st*eDistrict �±� CiB.Moms.2nd District �£ _'•0,, Donna Gerber,3rd Distrkx Mot D"a tinier,4th District -kw Canclmnilla.5th District T'9 000T1'� 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 CW Batchelore County Administration Building county Adminhwator 651 Pine Street,Room 106 o Sta (5toi ass�soo Martinez,Caldomia 94553-1293 County Jim Ropers,Ist District Geyle B.Ullkerna,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd District s } Mark DeSaulnier.4th District " Joe Canciernft,5th District �z srq-cour r 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 Phil Batchelor The Board of Supervisors Contra Clerk of Ow Board arid County Administration BuildingCounty Administrator 651 Pine Street,Room 106 Costa (510)335-1900 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1st District s.E_.t Gayle B.ulikema,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd District Mark DsSauinler,4th District — - Joe Canclemiga,5th District V " a� srA,coiix`r` 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 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, WAA Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contra �rk�� and County Administration BuildingCosta Co"cty�'"'�� 651 Pine Street,Room 106 (510)M5-1W0 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1st District .l Gayle S.U11(mnm,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd District — Mark DeSsulnier,4th District - _ Joe Canclemilla,5th District oaf Sr'4 cou 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 �r'� and County Administration BuildingCOSta COunty'�n 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (510)335-1900 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Hopers,let District �.5E-i Gayle B.Uilkema,2nd District ca._ Donna Gerber,3rd DMid Marr DeSauinler,4th District Joe Canciamilla,5th District ST'4 COUT�'Cti 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` Phil�l1°lor Clerk of the Hoard and County Administration BuildingCos}� County Administrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 ` i510t 335-1900 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1st District e ...t Gayle B.Uilksma,2nd DistrictDonna Gerber,Gerber .3rd District Mark DsSsulnier,4th District Joe Candamilla,5th District , ST'4 COUI�'� 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-Is 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 �.'�� and County Administration BuildingCountyAdnunfstrator 651 Pine Street,Room 106 o'sta �5�0�a3s ieoo Martinez,Caflfomia 94553-1293 County Jim Ropers,let Dishicd se__t Gayle B.Ulikems,2nd District Donru Gsrbsr,3rd District f/ Mmic DsSaulnfer,4th District Joe Car damiila,5th District srA•couN 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�� County Administration Building COSta CountyA&nkft ww 651 Pine Street,Room 106 (510)335'19°° Martinez,Callfomia 94553-1293 County Jim Ropers,let District ee L aE_ n O Gayb Mane,2nd District — -_,.� Donna Gerber.3rd District Mork DsSsainlar,4th District ' Joe Canclamliia,5th District oz, A'"" E. srA_coax 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, Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af The Board of Supervisors Contra �;'of dw Board and County Administration BuildingCosta C(510) dnvns�oo� 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Rogers,1st District Gayle S.Ullkems,2nd District - Donna Gerber,3rd District F Mark DsSauUkr,4th District Joe CanelamUle,5th District sr'� COLJtl'n 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, VAR& Mark De Saulnier Board Chairman MD:GB:af