Placer reviews project funding request priorities

The Placer County Board of Supervisors reviewed county projects during its Feb. 14 meeting to prioritize which to pursue funding for through Directed Congressional Spending. According to the staff report, Directed Congress Spending (earmarks) are targeted spending projects lawmakers insert into spending bills without a direct vote. Placer County Legislative and Governmental Affairs Coordinator Joel Joyce said the idea is that elected officials can direct spending to their districts. "The idea behind earmarks is it makes getting the yes votes a little easier, as there is something typically for every member of Congress in these spending bills," Joyce said. Joyce said earmarks have been around since 1789, became more popular in the 1990s when house and Senate chairs recognized their importance and continued to gain popularity when funding for projects increased in the 2000s, when there were a lot of scandals. Although earmarks were banned in 2011 due to the scandals, Joyce said they were brought back in 2021 as a reform to make Congress work better. According to Joyce, Placer has received 30-35 earmarks since 1990, with the most recent being the funding provided for the body-worn camera program for the Placer County Sheriff's Office. Joyce said no official earmark guidelines have been released to date but recommended requesting funding for projects that would cost no more than $5 million. Joyce also noted the federal government expects the funding to be expended in a 24-month timeframe or the funds will have to be returned. After Joyce's presentation, the board reviewed a list of 19 projects prepared by county staff, which included wildfire/forest health, public safety, water/sewer/housing and transit and transportation. During the discussion, the board considered projects Placer really needs or projects in underserved areas of the county. Following a lengthy discussion, the board decided to prioritize forest treatment projects, constructing a biomass facility, making improvements for Sheridan water reliability and connecting those who are ordered to pay child support with employment services, like résumé writing, interviewing skill and skills assessment. According to Joyce, the submission of project funding requests is anticipated in late March, and if approved, may see funding in February 2024.