TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement and all necessary documents or subcontracts, including any amendments to the allocation amount, with the County of Los Angeles, for County Measure B funds in the amount of $1,000,000, to support ongoing bioterrorism response programs, for a one-year period, with the option to renew for four one-year periods; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $1,000,000, offset by reimbursement revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In November of 2002, Los Angeles County Measure B (Preservation of Trauma Centers and Emergency Medical Services; Bioterrorism Response) (County Measure B) was approved by voters. County Measure B authorizes the County of Los Angeles (County) to levy a special tax on structural improvements within the County to provide funding to support the countywide system of trauma centers, emergency medical services, trauma prevention, and bioterrorism response activities. Bioterrorism response refers to activities undertaken, directly or through contract, or coordinated by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, to address the medical needs of persons exposed to bioterrorist or chemical attack.
The purpose of County Measure B is to 1) avoid the life-threatening shutdown of the County’s trauma network; 2) maintain and expand the trauma network countywide, while ensuring a timelier response to critical and urgent medical emergencies; and 3) respond effectively to biological and chemical terrorism.
On September 13, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors awarded the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) $1,000,000 to support ongoing emergency medical services, bioterrorism, and trauma and violence prevention programs. This structural allocation will be used to support the costs of maintaining the public health local distribution site (LDS) to stockpile safe and appropriate medical countermeasures, personal protective equipment, and other supplies needed for a bioterrorism or chemical attack response. The funds will also be used to cover some of the costs of staffing the LDS with individuals trained in logistics and inventory management, as well as field personnel who are deployable to the region, and public health medical professionals with expertise in bioterrorism response operations. This funding ensures partial retention of the public health workforce that was hired during the COVID-19 pandemic and trained to support the ongoing public health emergency response.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on May 4, 2023 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on May 24, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 13, 2023, to execute an agreement with the County of Los Angeles in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total County Measure B funding allocation will not exceed $1,000,000 for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. An appropriation increase in the amount of $1,000,000 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by reimbursement revenue. Any indirect costs that might not ultimately be eligible for grant funds will be funded by the Health Operating Fund, General Fund, or other eligible grant funds. Subsequent years' appropriation will be requested through the annual budget process. There is no match or in-kind service mandate. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER