AG 1997 04 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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One factor we considered in our plan was our prediction that several significant sources of federal revenue which are currently open-ended will be block granted to counties at~er June 30. These include IV-A EA Services, AFDC Administration, and JOBS Program funds. Our prediction has turned out to be accurate. The federal block grant plans the Governor submitted to the General Assembly last week provide for county block grants of these funds beginning July 1, 1997. What this means to us is that we are assured federal reimbursement of a percent of virtually any expense reported prior to June 30, but will have federal reimbursement only up to our county's block grant amount after June 30. I feel confident that we will secure the revenues we have projected in our budget request for FY98. However, it is clearly to the county's advantage to tap the open-ended federal funding sources currently available for any and all expenses associated with the human service facility which can legitimately be reported for reimbursement by June 30. The county savings on only $250,000 of modular office equipment would probably total around $65,000 by purchasing prior to June 30. Blair Bennett's office has confirmed our estimate that Social Services will have FY97 budget savings totaling approximately $970,000 by June 30. I would anticipate that the substantial funds available from current-year savings at the Health Department, and funds which may be available from Piedmont Behavioral Health, would be used to the appropriate extent in meeting facility costs associated with those agencies. However, we certainly have no objection to the use of savings in the Social Services budget as necessary for the benefit of the entire facility, so long as Social Services needs are addressed sufficiently and equitably. Moving ahead with purchases and payments as recommended here not only saves county cost by assuring federal revenues we might not get on purchases made next year, it also helps to balance next year's county budget by lowering next year's expenses. Finally, it allows us to avoid having to request the Board of Commissioners appropriate additional county funds for costs associated with the new facility which were not a part of the original construction estimate. I have made an appointment to see you on this on Monday, April 7 at 3:00 pm. Please let me know of additional information I may need to provide. Thank you. cc: Blair Bennett