To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Veterans Buildings Stipend Payment Increase and Budget Transfer from Contingencies (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached Veterans stipend payment increases; and
2. Approve the attached budget transfer in the amount of $4,935 for fiscal year 2022-2023 from General Fund Contingencies (4/5 vote required).
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund Contingencies (1100990)
DISCUSSION:
Historically insofar as possible, the County of Humboldt has provided annual funding (“stipends”) to the Veterans Halls to assist with the cost of water, sewer, electricity, gas, garbage and local telephone service. The stipend amounts are outdated and Veterans groups, managing the halls, have requested an increase in the stipend amount received to offset utility costs.
At the September 12, 2022, public hearing on regarding the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (“Board”) directed staff to come back with a consistent method of applying an increase to Veterans Building stipend payments.
On May 18, 2021, the Board approved an agreement for the Eureka Veterans Memorial Hall. In that agreement the stipend payment was increased by 31% with an additional 3% increase annually through fiscal year 2024-2025.
Staff would propose, insofar as possible, a 31% increase in fiscal year 2022-2023 for the Arcata, Fortuna and Ferndale Veterans Hall stipends and a 3% increase annually effective fiscal year 2023-2024 through fiscal year 2024-2025. Increased stipends shall continue to be used to offset the cost of water, sewer, electricity, gas, garbage and local telephone service. Veterans Halls shall continue to submit utility costs annually for the prior calendar year prior to issuance of stipend payments. In fiscal year 2025-2026 a re-evaluation of stipend payments for Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale and Fortuna is recommended.
Currently the Garberville Veterans Building is in the process of demolition and the construction of a new building. At the completion of the Garberville Veterans Building a baseline utility cost will need to be established. It is recommended that annual stipend increases be consistent with the Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale and Fortuna Veterans Halls annually thereafter.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Should the Board approve the 31% increase in the current fiscal year, the total cost increase to the General Fund would be approximately $4,935 and would be allocated as follows: $1,728 to the Arcata Veterans for a total of $7,303; $1,501 to the Ferndale Veterans for a total of $6,344; and $1,706 to the Fortuna Veterans for a total $7,208.
The General Fund Contingency (1100990-2015) is currently $1,125,726 and will be reduced to $1,120,789, if this request is approved by the Board.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Arcata Veterans; Ferndale Veterans; Fortuna Veterans
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the increased stipends to the Veteran groups. However, this alternative is not recommended as stipend payment amounts are outdated. Veterans groups, who are maintaining the halls, will continue to expend funds on utilities rather than general maintenance of the halls they manage.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Budget Transfer
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: E-1
Meeting of: 9/12/22
File No.: 22-1178