Subject:
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Federally funded subaward and grant agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance program due to the COVID-19 nationwide emergency declaration and public health emergency.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the federally funded subaward and grant agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for public health and safety costs.
• Execution of this grant funding agreement with the FDEM is necessary to appropriate funding for eligible COVID-19 costs.
• As of April 19, 2021, the County had expended more than $30.5M on COVID-19 emergency response measures associated with operating public vaccination and testing sites, purchasing personal protection equipment, dissemination of information, enhanced sanitation efforts, non-congregate sheltering, etc.
• The County will leverage FEMA and other federal funding sources (i.e., CARES) to the extent possible for reimbursement of emergency response activities.
• No other Board actions have taken place related to this item.
Authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement (Z1888).
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Summary:
Summary
Execution of the attached Federally-Funded Subaward and Grant Agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management is necessary to receive reimbursement for public health and safety costs associated with COVID-19.
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Background Information:
The President of the United States declared a Nationwide Emergency, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency, for COVID-19. Due to the widespread impact of the pandemic, reimbursement funds through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program are available to Pinellas County to protect the public’s health and safety during this Public Health Emergency, which began on January 20, 2020.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is a federal grant to aid state and local governments during a time of ‘exigent and emergency circumstances.’ For this federal declaration, the County can seek 100% reimbursement from FEMA for eligible expenses. The performance period for this grant began retroactively to January 20, 2020, and will end at a future date determined by FEMA as outlined in the grant funding agreement.
The grant funding agreement is initially determined by the amount of any Project Worksheets that FEMA has obligated at the time of execution. As projects are obligated, the budget of this agreement with FEMA will increase; however, an amendment to this agreement will not be required. To date, the County does not have any obligated projects.
Fiscal Impact:
As of April 19, 2021, the County had expended more than $30.5M on the COVID-19 pandemic for activities with the potential for FEMA reimbursement. Final eligibility for reimbursement will be determined after submission to FEMA. For this emergency event, the Public Assistance Program provides 100% reimbursement of eligible cost as defined by FEMA. There are no matching funds required for the County.
The fiscal impact on County funds through April 19, 2021, was approximately: General Fund, $25.0M; Emergency Medical Services Fund, $3.1M; Tourist Development Fund, $744,960; BTS, $722,240; Water Revenue and Operating Fund, $439,170; Sewer Revenue and Operating Fund, $173,560; and an aggregate total of $310,710 across 12 additional funds. A complete breakdown is included in Attachment 2 - COVID-19 Costs by Fund and FY as of 4.19.21.
Of the $30.5M in estimated expenditures through April 19, 2021, $8.8M impacted FY21. These expenditures were not included in the FY21 Budget Development but will be offset by lapse funds and Fund Reserves as appropriate until the County is reimbursed by FEMA or other federally funded stimulus programs.
Staff Member Responsible:
Fredricka Collins, Budget Manager, Office of Management & Budget
Partners:
State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Administration
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Federally-Funded Subaward and Grant Agreement Z1888
Attachment 2 - COVID-19 Cost by Fund and FY as of 4/19/21