Title
Child Support Services (CSS) recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the Director of Child Support Services to negotiate an agreement between the County of El Dorado CSS and the County of Nevada CSS, where the County of Nevada will compensate the County of El Dorado for the provision of legal attorney services to the County of Nevada CSS; and
2) Authorize the Director of Child Support Services to execute a revenue generating agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, to provide legal services to the County of Nevada CSS, for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2026, as long as the agreement will not increase CSS’s Net County Cost.
FUNDING: State and Federal Child Support Funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
CSS is requesting that the Board authorize and approve the Director of Child Support Services to negotiate and execute an agreement between the County of El Dorado CSS and the County of Nevada CSS, where the County of Nevada will compensate the County of El Dorado CSS in the monthly amount of $6,250 during the term of March 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026. The directors of both counties will concurrently develop a subsequent agreement covering the period of July 2026 through June 2027, with the option to extend the agreement to June 30, 2028. This future agreement will be presented to the Board for approval prior to July 1, 2026.
As child support caseloads continue to decline statewide, smaller counties are increasingly pursuing shared service agreements to support the efficient administration of the Title IV-D program. This proposed agreement will enable Nevada County CSS to effectively manage child support cases within their jurisdiction, while allowing El Dorado County to supplement its allocation with minimal impact to cost-effectiveness measures. Given the current size of El Dorado CSS's caseload, the three attorneys can effectively assist Nevada County CSS without compromising service levels to El Dorado County's customers. It is anticipated that the work performed under this Agreement will not exceed more than 12 hours per week.
Similar shared services agreements are currently in place throughout California’s child support program. Pursuant to prior Board approval (see attachments A and B), El Dorado CSS presently provides attorney and legal shared services to the counties of Tehama and Inyo. Under these agreements, El Dorado CSS attorneys appear in court to establish and/or modify child support orders on behalf of those counties. Such shared services agreements promote statewide cost-effectiveness and ensure continuity services for local families.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to authorize the Director of CSS to negotiate the agreement with Nevada County CSS, thereby preventing revenue generation and collaboration with other agencies.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
7/30/2024, Item 24-1074, the Board authorized and approved the Plan of Cooperation between the County of El Dorado CSS and the County of Tehama CSS, where the County of Tehama would compensate the County of El Dorado CSS monthly, which allowed El Dorado County CSS to provide legal attorney services to the County of Tehama CSS.
5/20/2025, Item 25-0699, the Board authorized and approved the Agreement between the County of El Dorado CSS and the County of Inyo CSS, where the County of Inyo would compensate the County of El Dorado CSS monthly, which allowed El Dorado County CSS to provide legal attorney services to the County of Inyo CSS.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the County General Fund resulting from authorizing the CSS Director to negotiate an agreement or authorizing the Director of Child Support Services to provide legal services to the County of Nevada CSS. All CSS legal services are funded with state and federal funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Ron Ladage, Director of Child Support Services