Agenda - 11-15-2007-4g - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 funding recommendations presented to the Board each year. Staff proposes that, beginning in FY08-09, the HSAC formulate funding recommendations and present those recommendations to Commissioners. This proposal mirrors how Carrboro and Chapel Hill handle their annual outside agency appropriations. Technical training on best management practices for volunteers charged with reviewing grant applications and formulating recommendations will be provided to HSAC by Triangle United Way as preface to the FY08-09 process. #- Annual Human Services Related Funding Target Heretofore the annual dollar amount allocated to outside agency funding has for the most part remained stable. In FY 07-08, the BOCC appropriated $2,073,662 or about 1.2% of the total General Fund budget to Human Services related non-profit agencies compared to $1,905,317, about 1.1% of the total General Fund budget, in the previous year. It is important to note that these amounts and percentages do not include amounts reserved for the last few years in the Critical Needs Reserve. It would be helpful to staff if Commissioners would establish, early in the annual budget planning process, a target amount or percentage for Human Services related outside agencies. The amount, similar in concept to the Board approved Education funding target, might be reflective of past funding history of 1.1 % to 1.2% of total General Fund. Should the Board agree to move forward with this proposal, staff could do further analysis and propose a funding target percentage at a December 2007 or January 2008 regular meeting for the Board to discuss. County management has held preliminary discussions regarding these changes with the Human Services Advisory Commission (HSAC) and is supportive and respectful of the opportunity for increased responsibilities within the overall process. It is fully understood that final decisions on agency funding allocations are the purview of the BOCC. The role of HSAC will be, with the administrative support and guidance of County staff, to review, rate, and recommend funding levels to the BOCC in the usual fair and competitive manner. FINANCIAL IMPACT: As stated earlier in this agenda abstract, in FY2008-09 the BOCC appropriated $2,073,662 or about 1.2% of the total General Fund budget to Human Services related non-profit agencies compared to $1,905,317, about 1.1% of the total General Fund budget, in the previous year. It is important to note that these amounts and percentages do not include amounts reserved for the last few years in the Critical Needs Reserve. The financial impact of funding Human Services related outside agencies in the future would be dependent on the Board's adoption of a funding target policy and the annual amount of the County's General Fund. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the BOCC approve the following changes in how the County handles applications from outside agencies for grant funding as part of the annual budget process: 1. Initiate an earlier start to the grant solicitation period; 2. Charge the Human Services Advisory Commission with making recommendations on funding allocations directly to the BOCC; and 3. Direct staff to bring a proposed funding target policy for Human Services related outside agency funding to the Board no later than January 15, 2008.