Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Receive an update from staff regarding prior Board direction to hire a consultant to assess the roles and responsibilities of the County’s emergency preparedness, operations, response and recovery; and
2) Provide direction to staff whether to hire a consultant or discontinue the pursuit of hiring a consultant and instead return to the Board within 60 days with a proposed organizational structure and staffing plan for Board adoption to enhance the delivery of the County’s emergency preparedness, response and recovery services.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
During the County’s budget presentation meeting on February 1, 2023 (Item 23-0248), the Board directed the Chief Administrative Office to return to the Board on February 14, 2023 with an item to explore how to assess and evaluate the delivery of the County’s emergency preparedness, operations, and response given the increased workload that has developed as a result of the increasing number of disasters in the County.
Staff returned on February 14, 2023 (Item 23-0346) and the Board directed staff to identify a consultant to work in collaboration with the Chief Administrative Office and the Sheriff's Office to understand the roles and responsibilities of the County’s emergency preparedness, operations, response and recovery and to return to the Board within six months with a consultant contract for Board approval.
Pursuant to this direction, staff began information gathering and meeting with numerous County departments and agencies that engage in the County’s emergency preparedness, response and recovery to develop the most focused and applicable scope of work for the contract.
These series of meetings clearly demonstrated the functions, overlaps and gaps in the County’s emergency preparedness, operations, response and recovery efforts, and staff do not believe hiring a consultant would add value to the process.
Staff are recommending the Board direct staff to discontinue the pursuit of a consultant contract and return within 60 days with an updated organizational structure and staffing plan to enhance the delivery of the County’s emergency preparedness, response and recovery services.
ALTERNATIVES
Direct staff to develop a Request for Proposal, interview and hire a consultant.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
February 14, 2023 - Item 23-0346
February 1, 2023 - Item 23-0248
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Health and Human Services Agency, Planning and Building, Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience, Environmental Management, Department of Transportation, and Emergency Preparedness and Response.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety - promptly responds to emergencies
Health Communities - well being of residents and visitors
Good Governance - best possible process for making and implementing decisions
CONTACT
Carla Hass
X4609