The Finance Committee and staff recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the attached budget adjustment and appropriation.

Annually, the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management (FREM) receives $40,579 in federal pass through funds from the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). A portion of this funding, or $18,078, is used to partially pay for the Division Chief of Emergency Management and Logistics’ salary.  The remaining $22,501 is normally used for different emergency management projects.  Due to the consistent dollar amount and annual nature of this funding, the revenue and expenses are normally included in the annual budget adoption process.

For FY 2019, the full $40,579 in grant revenue was included in the Adopted Budget, but  EMPG project expenditures of $22,501 were inadvertently not included in the budget adoption process.  For FY 2019, FREM anticipated utilizing the EMPG funds of $22,501 to purchase a communication console for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  This console will enhance communications for EOC Command Staff with field units.  Since the EMPG award does not allow for supplanting of local funds, use of the fund balance is requested to reconcile the grant revenue and expenses.

Chief Jay Cullinan, FREM

Deputy Chief Jason Irby

 Division Chief of Emergency Management and Logistics C. Matthew Embrey, FREM     

If the request is denied, FREM will be unable to purchase the communication console for the EOC.