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Commission approves resolution to streamline outgoing grant approvals with Board of Supervisors oversight preserved
Summary
The commission approved a resolution to remove redundant commission approval for outgoing grants that have already been fully described in a Board of Supervisors 'accept-and-expend' action, while retaining commission review for grants included as AAO budget line items.
The Commission on the Environment on June 3 approved a resolution (file 2024-05-COE) revising the department's process for commission review of outgoing federal and state grants.
Charles Sheehan, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, explained the proposal: when the Board of Supervisors approves an accept-and-expend agreement that specifies subawardees and dollar amounts, the department would proceed to award those subgrants without returning to the commission for a second resolution. If a grant is included as a line item in the department's AAO budget package, the department would present the list of subgrantees and amounts to the commission for review before awards are made.
Sheehan said the change is intended to reduce redundant approval steps without removing transparency; he pointed to past instances when the department presented a grant win to the commission and then returned later with a separate resolution after the Board action. Commissioners asked for periodic Director's Report disclosure of grants that the new process will not bring back to the commission for formal approval.
A motion to approve passed on a unanimous voice and roll-call vote. Commissioners said the change should improve contracting efficiency while preserving opportunities for oversight and public notice.
Next steps: staff will include outgoing grants won via accept-and-expend in the Director's Report and will present AAO-included grants for commission review as required by the resolution.
