Title
Human Services Department recommending Chairman be authorized to sign Agreement 098-S0911 with Fiscal Experts, Inc. in the amount of $90,000 for the term August 15, 2008 through August 14, 2011 for financial consulting services on an "as requested" basis.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: Funding sources are 85% Federal/State Social Services Allocation with a 15% County match.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$90,000.00 |
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|
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$90,000.00 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$90,000.00 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No Change. The Agreement is funded by the Social Services allocation with required County match met primarily with non-General Fund resources. Funds are budgeted for FY 2008-09 and will be included in the FY 2009-10 and 2010-11 County Budget Requests.
Reason for Recommendation: Funding for Social Services programs consists of multiple California Department of Social Services allocations with diverse requirements and complex allocation mechanisms that require the County to maintain appropriate staffing levels to draw down maximum Federal and State revenues. Fiscal Experts, Inc. works with several counties within California and is uniquely qualified to provide training and specialized consulting services relative to the intricate Social Services funding streams, resulting in better understanding and system modifications and improvements to Human Services fiscal operations. This consultant extrapolates and analyzes Department data and prepares clear, concise spreadsheets and reports on which to base financial and staffing resource decisions. This has helped to maximize revenues and minimize the County's share of costs relative to claiming for the California Department of Social Services allocations to El Dorado County and has enabled the Department to reduce the Social Services Division Net County Cost to zero.
The Board executed an initial Agreement for Services, #054-S0711, with Fiscal Experts, Inc. on August 15, 2006 and executed Amendment I to that Agreement on February 26, 2008 to extend the term through August 14, 2008. To date, technical assistance from Fiscal Experts, Inc. has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in one-time and ongoing increased revenues for El Dorado County. Specific examples of increased revenues realized as a result of the Consultant's direct efforts and Department implementation of Consultant's recommendations include:
· Child Welfare Services: over $1,700,000 in ongoing increased revenues realized as a result of recommendations to increase Emergency Response rates, increase the use of health-related time study codes, and increase direct service contracts in specified areas
· Medi-Cal: over $600,000 in ongoing increased revenues as a result of Consultant's actions, which have included assisting in the preparation of budgets submitted to the State and negotiating with State authorities for increases in allocations
The Department expects to realize further opportunities for additional revenue enhancements and stabilization of the myriad of funding streams as a result of the continuing contractual arrangement with the Consultant. Agreement for Services #098-S0911 enables Fiscal Experts, Inc. to continue to assist the Department to further increase their understanding and knowledge of Social Services funding sources, maximize revenues and improve fiscal procedures and operations.
County Counsel, Risk Management and Human Resources have approved Agreement for Services #098-S0911. Copies of the Blue Route and Agreement are attached and on file with the Board Clerk.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Board Clerk to forward one (1) original of executed Agreement for Services #098-S0911 to the Department of Human Services, Social Services Division, at 3057 Briw Road, CA 95667. Auditor's Office to authorize payment of future invoices.
Contact: Doug Nowka (530) 621-6163
Concurrences: County Counsel, Risk Management and Human Resources