Title
Child Support Services (CSS) recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Plan of Cooperation with the County of Tehama, where the County of Tehama will compensate the County of El Dorado CSS in the monthly amount of $6,250, allowing El Dorado County CSS to provide legal attorney services to the County of Tehama Child Support Services during the term of August 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend the agreement to June 30, 2026, for a total compensation amount of $143,750; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign amendments to the Plan of Cooperation that do not alter compensation or the term of the Plan of Cooperation, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: State and Federal Child Support Funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Family Code Section 17304(a) mandates that the Director of the Department negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with county and state agencies to fulfill the requirements of the state plan for administering the Title IV-D child support program. Family Code 17304(a) also states, “The director, in consultation with the impacted counties, may consolidate the local child support agencies, or any function of the agencies, in more than one county into a single local child support agency, if the director determines that the consolidation will increase the efficiency of the state Title IV-D program and each county has at least one local child support office accessible to the public.”
El Dorado CSS was approached by the Tehama County Local Child Support Agency with a request to provide legal services through a Plan of Cooperation (POC). The Board of Supervisors on June 18, 2024, with Legistar file 24-1031 authorized the Director of Child Support Services to negotiate an agreement between the County of El Dorado CSS and the County of Tehama CSS, where the County of Tehama will compensate the County of El Dorado for the provision of legal attorney services to the County of Tehama CSS and return to the Board for approval of the agreement.
The Director of Child Support Services negotiated the proposed Plan of Cooperation with the County of Tehama. Under this agreement, Tehama County would compensate El Dorado County on a monthly basis for legal services. Tehama County CSS will pay El Dorado CSS a total of $6,250 per month for legal services provided, estimated at a maximum of 17 hours a week. It is anticipated that all attorney appearances for court calendars, except for contested hearings and trials, will be remote, and virtual appearances are allowed by the court of TCDCSS. If this changes, it will be considered a material change to the agreement and will require re-evaluation based upon this change. In addition, changes to attorney staffing levels at EDCDCSS would be a material change requiring a re-evaluation of the agreement.
El Dorado CSS currently employs three attorneys. As caseloads continue to decrease across California, more small counties are seeking such agreements to facilitate the administration of the Title IV-D program statewide. These agreements help the state Department of Child Support Services promote cost-effectiveness and ensure continuity of legal access and full services for the families we serve. This agreement ensures that Tehama County CSS can effectively manage child support cases within their jurisdiction, while allowing El Dorado County to supplement its allocation and minimize adverse impacts on each jurisdiction’s cost-effectiveness measures. Similar agreements exist throughout the state child support program. Given the current size of El Dorado CSS's caseload, the current three attorneys can effectively assist Tehama County CSS without compromising the level of service provided to El Dorado County's staff and clients. The impact on El Dorado CSS would be minimal to none.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23, the State reduced the allocation of State Funding to the El Dorado CSS. The County purchased the Ponderosa building with Child Support Services sharing space with the Health and Human Services Agency and Elections Office, significantly lowering lease costs. These cost-saving measures resulted in Child Support Services being able to maintain the Net County Cost of $5,000 in the FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget. The fiscal year 2024-25 state budget includes a $109,673 reduction in funding to El Dorado CSS. The additional funds from this agreement would allow CSS to retain current staff and allocate resources for special projects, outreach, and building improvements, without relying on General Fund monies.
The department is requesting that the Board approve and authorize the Chair sign the attached Plan of Cooperation with the County of Tehama, where the County of Tehama will compensate the County of El Dorado CSS in the monthly amount of $6,250 during the term of August 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend the agreement to June 30, 2026, for a total amount of $143,750.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to approve the revenue generating agreement with Tehama County CSS, thereby stopping CSS from engaging in collaboration with another local child support agency as requested, and the ability to acquire additional funds to offset cuts to the El Dorado CSS allocation from the State.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
6/18/2024, with Legistar file 24-1031, the Board authorized the Director of CSS to pursue the agreement with Tehama CSS.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed the Plan of Cooperation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the Plan of Cooperation will result in $68,750 of new revenue in FY 2024-25, and if extended, $75,000 in FY 2025-26. This additional revenue will partially offset a reduction in funding of $109,673 in FY 2024-25 that is the result of state budget cuts.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon Board adoption and approval, provide one copy of the approved and signed POC to Ron Ladage, Director, Child Support Services.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Ron Ladage, Director of Child Support Services