Title
Support the request to:
a. Authorize the Auditor - Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Public Guardian/Administrator/Conservator’s adopted budget 001-4000-HEA008-8118 to increase appropriations by $347,254; and
b. Authorize the Auditor - Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Children’s Medical Services adopted budget 001-4000-8121-HEA004 to decrease appropriations by $269,000; and
c. Authorize the Auditor - Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Health Department Administration’s adopted budget 001-4000-8438-HEA014 to decrease appropriations by $78,254.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee of the Board of Supervisors support the request to:
a. Authorize the Auditor - Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Public Guardian/Administrator/Conservator’s adopted budget 001-4000-HEA008-8118 to increase appropriations by $347,254; and
b. Authorize the Auditor - Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Children’s Medical Services adopted budget 001-4000-8121-HEA004 to decrease appropriations by $269,000; and
c. Authorize the Auditor - Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Health Department Administration’s adopted budget 001-4000-8438-HEA014 to decrease appropriations by $78,254.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Public Guardian/Administrator/Conservator provides services in four major functional areas Public Administrator, Public Conservator, Probate Conservator, and Public Representative Payee
The Public Administrator is mandated by law to take charge of property and probate the decedent estates ranging in value from $2,000 to over $2,000,000 of persons who have died when no executor or estate administrator exists or is willing or able to act.
The Public Guardian acts as court appointed Lanterman Petris Short (LPS) Conservator of any individual found to be gravely disabled due to mental disorder who is unable or unwilling to accept treatment voluntarily pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 5000 et seq.
The Public Guardian also acts as court appointed Probate Conservator for frail, elderly, and cognitively impaired individuals substantially unable to manage personal or financial affairs or resist fraud or undue influence when there is no family or a qualified third party to act pursuant to Probate Code sections 1800 et seq.
Additionally, the Public Guardian serves as Public Representative Payee pursuant to Board Resolution 82-43 for Monterey County residents. The Public Representative Payee manages and/or applies for any Public Entitlement Benefits for disabled Monterey County residents, with no available family or third party assistance, which are unable to manage or apply for benefits on their own behalf and assures access to any health care and social services available.
For Fiscal Year 2016-17, the budgeted appropriations to provide these services are $1,887,674 which includes $ 1,477,674 in approved budget and a $410,000 increase allocated as part of the recommended mid-year modifications. The $410,000 increase was provided to partially mitigate a shortfall due to revised County Wide Cost Allocation Plan (COWCAP) costs which were charged to the budget unit. Even with the increase of $410,000 the appropriations are not enough to cover estimated total costs of $2,185,560 which are broken down as follows:
• $ 844,339 in Salaries and Benefits for 9 employees
• $ 384,774 in Services and Supplies
• $10,503 in other costs
• $945,944 in COWCAP costs
COWCAP costs show an increase of $757,254 over the current year approved budget amount of $188,690. Current appropriations for the department are $1,887,674.
Revenues to support these services are estimated as follows:
• $369,027 in fees and other revenues
• $1,059,279 in baseline General Fund Contributions
• $ 410,000 in additional General Fund Contributions allocated as part of the mid-year modification to partially mitigate current year budget shortfall
The result is a gap of $347,254 needed to fund current year expenditures. Current year-to-date obligations for the Public Guardian/Administrator/Conservator as of February 28, 2017 are $895,620 and do not include $945,944 in COWCAP costs. At current budgeted appropriations of $1,887,674, the year-to-date obligations and COWCAP costs would erode 97% of obligations with four months of the fiscal year remaining financial obligations. Therefore, the department is seeking to reallocate appropriations from Children’s Medical Services and Health Administrative Service to the Public Guardian/Administrator/Conservator enabling it to meet its financial obligations.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2011-2015 Strategic Plan Initiative 2) Enhance community health and safety by emphasizing prevention and it supports one or more of the ten essential public health services: 6) Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety; and 7) Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
On December 14, 2016, the Auditor’s Office released the Fiscal Year 2016-17 COWCAP costs. The Public Guardian/Administrator/Conservator final figure of $945,944 resulted in an increase of $757,254 over the approved budget of $188,690. The County Administrative Office, in collaboration with the Health Department agreed to increase General Fund Contributions and appropriations totaling $410,000 as part of the mid-year modifications. The Public Guardian/Administrator/Conservator needs an additional $347,254 to continue funding its day-to day operations.
FINANCING:
To meet contractual, salary, and other financial obligations, the Public Guardian/ Administrator/Conservator requests an increase in appropriations in the amount of $347,254 to continue its day-to-day operations. The additional appropriations will be transferred from units 001-4000-HEA004-8121 and 001-4000-HEA014-8438.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☒Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☒Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Fabricio Chombo, Finance Manager I, x6343
Approved by: Ezequiel Vega, Assistant Director of Health, x4622