Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 9/20/2022
Item Status: New
From: Cian Harrison, Clerk/Treasurer
Submitted by: Katrina Taylor, Grants Coordinator
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds for COVID-19 Self-Funded Health Insurance Claims and Medical Leave Expenses
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the allocation of ARPA funds in the amount of $862,077.30 to cover prior COVID-19 related expenses for Symbol Health Clinic claims, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama/MedOne healthcare claims, and family and medical leave through June 30, 2022.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: The County’s self-funded health insurance plan is an eligible enumerated use within the Final Rule. Associated medical costs incurred during the covered period include COVID-19 treatment and vaccination of County employees (covered under the plan). The expenditures are necessary to address COVID-19 prevention and health needs of County employees and their covered family members through the County's self-funded health insurance plan. The plan is administered pursuant to County-adopted policies and procedures to ensure that high quality services are delivered at the lowest cost possible.
The County provided paid family and medical leave for employees quarantining following a positive test result, isolating due to a close contact, or caring for a dependent while the dependent was required to quarantine or isolate. Leave was granted in accordance with CDC guidance for isolation and quarantine periods. The expenditures were necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to the public accessing government services at County facilities. It was also a low-cost method of reducing spread among County employees to ensure their health and continuity of the provision of services provided by all County departments.
Previous Commission action/date: September 6, 2022 - Approved Resolution #2022-163 amending Resolutions #2022-102 (as previously approved on 06-07-2022) and #2022-158 (as previously approved on 08-16-2022) to eliminate and terminate Temporary Premium Pay (TPP) Payments for certain eligible exempt employees whose total wages and remuneration are greater than, or would become greater than as a result of TPP payments, 150% of the higher of Alabama’s or Baldwin County’s (i.e., Daphne-Fairhope-Foley MSA) average annual wage for all occupations as defined by the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS Threshold), which at the time of Resolutions #2022-102 and #2022-158 was $72,165.00, to be effective immediately.
August 16, 2022 - Approved terminating the appropriation of ARPA funds previously approved by resolution of the Commission, including funds appropriated by Resolution #2022-102 for a temporary premium pay program, effective December 31, 2022.
June 7, 2022 - Approved the allocation of the following ARPA project:
To provide Temporary Premium Pay Program to eligible County Commission and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office employees as additional compensation, for the first full pay period of each month, effective July 4, 2022, in the amount of $8.66 per regular hour, and $12.99 per overtime hour. The monthly payments will be capped at $700.00 for full-time employees and $500.00 for part-time employees, with a lifetime cap of $25,000.00. TPP payments will include full-time employees and part-time employees only and will end on December 31, 2024, contingent upon the continued need to perform essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency and continued appropriation and availability of ARPA funds for this purpose, subject to the Commission’s discretion. The approval also included funding from other County funds for those eligible exempt employees’ total wages and remuneration are greater than, or would become greater than as a result of TPP payments, $72,165 which is 150% of the higher of Alabama’s or Baldwin County’s (i.e., Daphne-Fairhope-Foley MSA) average annual wage for all occupations as defined by the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
January 18, 2022 - Acceptance of ARPA funds for Lost Revenue due to COVID-19 pandemic:
The Final Rule offered a standard allowance for revenue loss of $10 million, allowing recipients to select between a standard amount of revenue loss or complete a full revenue loss calculation. The standard allowance may be used for government services, with streamlined reporting requirements; however, this is a one-time irrevocable selection.
December 7, 2021 - Approved the allocation of the following ARPA project:
Execute the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Investing in Alabama Counties Program Maintenance and Support Membership Agreement between the Baldwin County Commission and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) for participation in the Association’s Investing in Alabama Counties Program.
A flat fee of 6% on the first $7 million in funds to be received and 4% on any funds to be received in excess of $7 million, excluding funds designated as Revenue Loss as defined by Treasury’s Interim Final Rule. In no case, however, shall the fee be less than 3% of the total funds received by the County, regardless of the amount of funding designated as Revenue Loss.
December 7, 2021 - Approved the allocation of the following ARPA project:
Temporary Premium Pay - To provide premium pay to eligible Baldwin County Commission and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office employees as additional compensation in the amount of $12.50 per hour, up to $1,000.00, for full-time employees and $12.50 per hour, up to $725.00, for part-time employees. The designated pay period will be pay period ending December 19, 2021, to be paid concurrently with the regular payroll.
October 19, 2021 - Approved the allocation of the following ARPA project:
Funds for air-surface hospital grade disinfectant backpack foggers:
Baldwin County Commission Facilities $141,898.20
Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Facilities $37,872.50
Total Cost: $179,770.70
August 3, 2021 - Approved the allocation of the following ARPA project:
Boros Road Bowl Est: $1,122,256.00
10% Contingency Est: $112,225.00
10% Administrative Costs Est: $112,225.00
Total Estimated Cost: $1,346,706.00
July 6, 2021 - Approved the allocation of the following ARPA project:
Magnolia Landfill Recycling Facility Est: $5,500,000.00
10% Contingency Est: $550,000.00
10% Administrative Costs Est: $550,000.00
Total Estimated Cost: $6,600,000.00
June 15, 2021 - Approved the allocation of the following ARPA projects:
COA Main Office COVID Upgrades Est: $11,875.00
Baldwin Together Case Manager Est: $25,000.00
Tyler Technologies Software Training Est: $28,000.00
Countywide Touchless Bathroom Equipment Est: $80,459.00
Set aside for Nonprofits Est: $100,000.00
Ionizer in Buildings Est: $175,000.00
Document Library Est: $285,000.00
BCSO Hazard Pay and Law Enforcement Est: $400,000.00
Motorola Projects (2) Est: $469,181.00
10% Contingency Est: $157,451.50
10% Administrative Costs Est: $157,451.50
Total Estimated Cost: $1,889,418.00
June 1, 2021 - Approved the following action:
Agreement for Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), between the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Baldwin County Commission, which was executed by the Baldwin County Commission Chairman, Joe Davis III, on May 18, 2021, and made part of the June 1, 2021, Baldwin County Commission regular meeting minutes.
February 2, 2021 - Approved the following action:
Contract for Professional Services with Hagerty Consulting, Inc., for the Baldwin County Emergency Management Consulting and Contract Services for Response, Recovery, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Planning based on a time and materials cost with an initial cost not to exceed cost of $1,500,000.00. Task Order of $100,000 was issued for ARPA related tasks.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $862,077.30 from American Rescue Plan Act funds
Budget line item(s) to be used: 29970010.51205, 29970010.51206, 29970010.51140
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? Yes, request for budget resolution has been submitted to Ron Cink, Budget Director/Interim County Administrator 09/08/2022.
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Finance and Accounting Staff enter project in Munis. Budget Staff prepare ARPA budget resolution.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: N/A