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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board receive a brief presentation, and consider and take possible action on the Senior Legal Program, as included in the Fiscal Year 2017-18 Recommended Budget, and direct staff to return to the Board on June 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with any recommended changes to the Fiscal Year 2017-18 Recommended Budget. (Est. Time: 45 Min.)
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board receive a brief presentation, and consider and take possible action on the Senior Legal Program, as included in the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget, and direct staff to return to the Board on June 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with any recommended changes to the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget. (Est. Time: 45 Min.)
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget includes the following recommendation:
The CAO office is recommending the elimination of the Senior Legal Services Program in Community Services. The Senior Legal program in El Dorado County is the only model in the State that employs our own attorneys and this has resulted in a very high level of service to our residents, such as free legal services regardless of their income and ability to pay. However, this also carries a certain level of risk and liability to the County. Due to the budget challenges facing the County in future years, the Board should prioritize mandated programs and service levels, as well as those programs and priorities that are consistent with the County's strategic plan. While Senior Legal provides a valuable service, unlike our other senior programs such as senior day care and meals on wheels which have a direct relationship to Healthy Communities, senior legal services does not have a direct relationship to our strategic plan. Furthermore, the Chief Administrative Office believes that there are alternatives to providing legal aid to vulnerable populations, and these alternatives should be explored and promoted.
In order to ensure sufficient time for the consideration and discussion of this important item, this discussion has been agendized separately as a "time certain" item, at 9:00 a.m. It is recommended that, beginning at 9:00 a.m., the Board receive a brief presentation, and consider and take possible action on the Senior Legal Program as included in the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget, and direct staff to return to the Board on June 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with any recommended changes that the Board may direct be made to the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommendation included in the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget would result in a reduction to General Fund cost of $267,778.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
CONTACT
Don Ashton, Chief Administrative Officer