HomeMy WebLinkAbout95-347
.
.
.
RESOLUTION NO. 95-347
ON BLOCK GRANTS
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Mohave County met in Regular Session this 7th
day of August, 1995, and
WHEREAS, the Mohave County Board of Supervisors recognizes the need to further
consolidate federal categorical programs to eliminate duplication and waste to reduce
administrative costs, and to provide greater flexibility to state and local governments in the
implementation of programs; and
WHEREAS, the problem posed by categorical programs is demonstrated in a February 9,
1995 report issued by the General Accounting Office, which shows 163 federally assisted
employment and training programs that are administered by 15 federal departments and 90 early
childhood programs administered by 11 federal agencies; and
WHEREAS, one of the principle goals of block grants is to shift responsibility for
programs from the federal government to the states and provide them increased tlexibility in
determining how funds are spent; and
WHEREAS, Congress and the Administration are considering consolidating many
federally funded programs under block grants to states; and
WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties adopted a similar resolution on July
25, 1995:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mohave County Board of Supervisors urges
Congress and the Administration to consider the following principles in developing block grant
legislation:
A. Emphasis must be on savings to tax payers and not on shifting cost from federal to
local taxpayers;
B. Federal block grant legislation should be developed in close consultation with county
officials;
C. States should be required to plan jointly with county officials and publish for review
and comments the plan for expenditures;
D.
Federal block grant funds for health, social services, employment, community and
economic development and criminal justice should be allocated to general purpose
local governments where existing service delivery systems are in place;
.
.
.
Resolution No. 95-347
Page 2
E. Reasonable transition time should be allowed to move from categorical to block grants
and counties should be given sutlicient time to adjust their own laws, budgets and
administrative procedures to comply with changes in federal policy;
F. Provide local flexibility to address identifiable needs within the context of meeting
broad national objectives;
G. Block grant proposals must require political accountability for the expenditure of public
funds at the county level;
H. Accountability for the use of funds must be demonstrated through outcome
measurements;
1. Cap state administration costs to what is reasonable and justifiable by current
administrative costs; and
1.
If a federal mandate is eliminated or waived for a state it must be eliminated for local
governments
PASSED APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of August, 1995.
MORAVE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
. //'} /
~fx7r~y
Pat Holt, Chairman
ATTEST: