Minutes 05-13-2021 Virtual Budget Work Session

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21 future. She said County revenues are down, and so even the County has had to shift funds around. She said even though she wants to do more, it does not look hopeful. Commissioner Bedford said the social emotional learning (SEL) being done in the schools is wonderful, and there is a need for more help in this area. She said there are programs across the nation providing mental health services in the schools, and she would like to see more of this here. She said she imagines the services would be provided in a disproportionate manner, and does not want a child of color to miss out on learning to read due to social emotional need. Commissioner Bedford said in 2009-10 the per pupil amount was decreased. She said the schools need to keep 5.5% of fund balance, but must spend the down the additional excess, and trust that the County will never abandon the districts. She said CHCCS has plenty of fund balance, but she is worried about Orange County Schools' available balance after accounting for the 5.5%. Chair Price thanked President Buxton, Dr. Felder, and Dr. Hamlett, as well as school boards for being there and explaining needs, and all working towards the same goal. 2. Discussion of Outside Agencies Funding for FY 2021-22 BACKGROUND: Each fiscal year, non-profit organizations that deliver community services have the ability to apply for program funding from Orange County. In December 2016, the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted a funding target of 1.2 percent of the county's general fund expenditures, less the appropriation for education expenses, for the purpose of funding outside agency operations. Historically, the county had a funding target of 1.0 percent. Applications are reviewed by staff members for completeness and eligibility. The applications are then presented to a specific advisory board and evaluated. Each advisory board then makes recommendations to the County Manager for consideration. The County Manager presents recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, which approves the final allocations. Recipients are required to submit written program reports that include: goals, description of activities/challenges, revisions of timelines/budgets, and other relevant information. Funded projects are monitored for progress and performance, financial and administrative management, and compliance with the terms of Performance/Development Agreement(s). Monitoring may involve site and/or office visit(s). For fiscal year 2021-22, Orange County received applications from 55 agencies. The requests totaled $2,048,551, an increase of$486,577 above fiscal year 2020-21. The FY 2021-22 Manager Recommended budget includes funding awards for 53 agencies with a total of $1,821,953; an increase of$259,979 from the FY 2020-21 Commissioner Approved Budget. This includes one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds of$259,774. One of the allowable uses of ARPA funds is to support Non-Profit agencies. As a result, the entire Outside Agency allocation in FY 2021-22 is funded using ARPA funds. Based on the theme of this year's budget, most outside agencies are recommended to receive the same funding as they did last year, with the exception of eighteen (18) agencies who are recommended to receive additional one-time ARPA funding.