Title
Chief Administrative Office and the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Find, in accordance with Section 3.13.030 of County Ordinance Code, Contracting Out, that specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of Agreement for Services 7544 with Municipal Resource Group (MRG);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7544 with MRG in the amount of $19,750 for a term of one year to assess the challenges regarding the HHSA organizational structure and programs and propose emerging solutions as phase one of two-phase project; and
3) Approve a budget transfer to increase the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Professional Services in Public Health by $19,750 by transferring funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Special Revenue Fund (4/5 vote required).
FUNDING: Federal ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funding
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On July 19, 2022, with Legistar item 22-1275, the Board conceptually approved the exploration of a new Department of Community Services that would result in the reorganization of HHSA. When a Director of HHSA was appointed in September 2022, the exploration of the Department of Community Services was paused until the Director of HHSA had time to acclimate to the position. On December 13, 2022, with Legistar item 22-2293, the Board appointed Olivia Bryan-Cooper as Interim Director of the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) after the position became vacant.
Now that leadership at the Health and Human Services Agency have transitioned in their new roles, staff are ready to begin the work of determining the recommended organizational structure of HHSA. To aid in a project, Agreement for Services 7544 with MRG is being proposed.
MRG is prepared to build upon the learning and experiences of consultant Robert Bendorf who has been working to understand the culture, climate, and success factors for the El Dorado County Strategic Plan under Agreement for Services 7049, approved by the Board on December 6, 2022, with Legistar item 22-1959. Agreement for Services 7544 is the first phase of a two-phase project and covers the following activities:
• Meet with and interview HHSA leadership, Interim County Administrator, Retiring County Administrator, the Board of Supervisors, and others, as necessary.
• Meet with additional internal and external stakeholders (as necessary and recommended by HHSA Interim Director) such as;
o Community Benefit Organizations
o Partner agencies
o Other County departments
• Review other county HHSA structures and services.
• As a result of initial due diligence, MRG will summarize their findings and observations and meet agency leadership to discuss the next steps.
After the Agreement for Services 7544 is concluded, staff will return to the Board with a phase-two agreement. The details of scope of the phase two agreement cannot be determined until Agreement for Services 7544 is concluded.
HHSA has proposed that this agreement be funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding. Per the U.S. Department of the Treasury, ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funding “recipients can use funds for programs, services, or capital expenditures that respond to the public health and negative impacts of the pandemic.” The reorganization of HHSA will help the agency have a manageable span of control, ensuring the agency can respond to the public health and negative impacts of the pandemic and other challenges facing health and human services.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board can choose to not approve the contract and provide staff with alternative direction.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed the agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to Net County Cost. Staff are requesting the Board approve a budget transfer request to move funding from the ARPA Special Revenue Fund to Public Health for the Agreement. The Board allocated $4.4 million of ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funding to Public Health and this agreement will use funding from that allocation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain Board Chair’s signature on Agreement for Services 7544 with Municipal Resource Group and forward a copy to Procurement and Contracts for processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Emma Owens
Principal Management Analyst