Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Unit 001-5010-SOC001-8255 by decreasing appropriations by $602,718; and
b. Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Unit 001-5010-SOC002-8253 by increasing appropriations by $602,718 (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a Resolution to:
a) Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Unit 001-5010-SOC001-8255 by decreasing appropriations by $602,718; and
b) Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Unit 001-5010-SOC002-8253 by increasing appropriations by $602,718 (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Board adopted a policy on July 18, 2017, RES 17-133 to modify the General Assistance program that provides relief and support of indigent and dependent residents of Monterey County. These changes consisted of increasing the maximum grant from $302 per month for a single adult to $340 per month, removing actual housing costs from the calculation of the grant amount applicants are entitled to receive, eliminating reductions in the grant levels for individuals living in shared housing arrangements, increasing property limits for eligibility from $1,000 to $2,500, increasing exemptions in calculating available resources for determining property limits, and updating due process procedures for applicants and recipients who appeal eligibility determinations.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) was directed not to budget this increase in March 2017 for the FY 2017-18 Requested Budget because the policy change had not been adopted yet by the Board. When the policy change was implemented in July 2017, the Department in consultation with the County Administrative Budget Office recommended returning back to the Board of Supervisors by September 26th, 2017 for recommendations on financing. On October 10, 2017, the County Administrative Budget Office delivered the First Quarter Update on the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget to the Board and suggested covering this shortfall through the road fund by reducing the discretionary contributions from the transient occupancy tax (TOT) that were in excess of the required Maintenance of Effort (MOE) level. The Board directed the County Administrative Office to go back and research if there are any negative impacts to using the road fund’s TOT revenue and research other financing options.
Since that time, the Department of Social Services has completed it’s Mid-Year Departmental Estimates for FY 2017-18 and identified savings in the Out of Home Care budget. These one-time savings are due to the delayed implementation of the Continuum of Care Reform in foster care. The Department is recommending a transfer of appropriations from Out of Home Care appropriations unit 001-5010-SOC001-8255 to the General Assistance appropriations unit 001-5010-SOC002-8253. This recommended action transfers County General Fund Contributions to the General Assistance budget unit and has no additional impact to Social Services County General Fund Contributions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This recommended action by the DSS eases county-wide budgetary pressures and the County Administrator’s Office - Budget Office concurs with this action.
FINANCING:
DSS is recognizing a one-time savings in Fiscal Year 2017-18 of $602,718 in the Out of Home Care budget unit 001-5010-SOC001-8255 due to the delays in implementing the Continuum of Care Reform in foster care. These savings in estimated increased costs of placements anticipated to result from the Continuum of Care Reform do not leverage additional revenue and can be redirected from County General Funds currently budgeted in the Out of Home Care budget unit. The Department is recommending that the savings of General Fund Contributions in BU 8255 be transferred to cover the shortfall in the General Assistance budget unit 001-5010-SOC002-8253 by increasing appropriations in the amount of $602,718 without requiring additional County General fund contributions in the current fiscal year. Approval of this action has no additional impact to Social Services County General Fund Contributions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This resolution correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing provide financing to support the independent and dependent residents of Monterey County without requiring additional County General fund contributions in the current year.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Becky Cromer, Finance Mgr II, x4404
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director Social Services, x4430
Attachments: Board Resolution 17-133
Resolution is on File with the Clerk of Board