Title
Child Support Services (CSS) recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Agreement with the Inyo County Department of Child Support Services (Inyo County CSS) where the County of Inyo will compensate the County of El Dorado CSS in the monthly amount of $6,250 for a total amount of $75,000, allowing El Dorado County CSS to provide legal attorney services to Inyo County CSS Services during the term of June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, with an automatic one-year renewal period from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, unless either party provides written notice to the other party of non-renewal no later than April 1, 2026; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign amendments to the Agreement that do not alter compensation or the term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: 100% State and Federal Child Support Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Board of Supervisors on February 25, 2025, with Legistar file 25-0293 authorized the Director of Child Support Services to negotiate an agreement between the County of El Dorado CSS and the County of Inyo CSS, where the County of Inyo will compensate the County of El Dorado for the provision of legal attorney services to the County of Inyo CSS and return to the Board for approval of the agreement. El Dorado CSS participated in a Request for Proposal by Inyo County CSS with a request to provide legal services. The Board of Supervisors also authorized the Director of Child Support Services to provide legal services to the County of Inyo CSS during the negotiation period, to include travel, for a period not to exceed 90 days of Board approval, as long as services do not increase CSS's Net County Cost.
The Director of Child Support Services negotiated the proposed Agreement with the County of Inyo. Under this Agreement, Inyo County CSS would compensate El Dorado County CSS monthly for legal services. Inyo County CSS will pay El Dorado CSS a total of $6,250 per month for legal services provided. 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 Inyo County CSS. 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 El Dorado County CSS 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 Inyo County CSS can effectively manage child support cases within their jurisdiction, while allowing El Dorado County CSS to supplement its allocation and minimize adverse impacts on each jurisdiction’s cost-effectiveness measures. Similar agreements exist throughout the state child support program. On July 30, 2024, with Legistar item 24-1074, the Board approved a 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.
Inyo County CSS is a regional Child Support Agency providing CSS for Inyo and Mono counties. It is anticipated that the work performed under this Agreement will not exceed the equivalent of an 0.25 FTE attorney assignment. Given the current size of El Dorado CSS's caseload, the current three attorneys can effectively assist Inyo County CSS and 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 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 Agreement with the County of Inyo CSS, where the County of Inyo will compensate the County of El Dorado CSS in the monthly amount of $6,250 during the term of June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, with the option to extend the agreement May 31, 2027. The Department will analyze the time spent providing this service to ensure the compensation is sufficient and, if needed, will return to the Board with an amendment prior to the end of the first year of this agreement.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to approve the revenue generating agreement with Inyo County CSS, thereby stopping El Dorado County 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
2/25/2025 with Legistar file 25-0293, the Board authorized the Director of CSS to pursue the agreement with Inyo CSS.
07/30/2024 with Legistar file 24-1074, the Board approved the Agreement with Tehema County 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 Contract will result in $75,000 of new revenue in FY 2025-26. This increased revenue will help ensure that El Dorado County CSS can support the current level of service and staffing and reduce the likelihood of needing General Fund support in future years.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon Board adoption and approval, provide one copy of the approved and signed Contract to Ron Ladage, Director, Child Support Services.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Ron Ladage, Director, Child Support Services