HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01241995 - 2.1 �'; moi.>rK �• t.Fi.
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra .
CostaFROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator
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January19 1995
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DATE: sT+cbi i+
SUBJECT: REPORT ON THE EXTENT OF THE LOCAL BUDGETARY PROBLEMS
CONFRONTING THE COUNTY FOR THE 1995-96 FISCAL YEAR AND THE
ADDITIONAL IMPACT OF THE GOVERNOR'S. 1995-96 BUDGET ON THE COUNTY
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)8 BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. ACCEPT this report on the challenges which the Board of Supervisors will face in
formulating the 1995-96 County Budget and the impact which the Governor's
Budget will have on the County.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE a local budget problem for 1995-96 of an estimated $24 to $26
million due to non-recurring revenues and additional costs carried forward from the
current fiscal year's budget. [See pages 5-6]
3. DIRECT the County Administrator to schedule a meeting between the Board of
Supervisors and the Retirement Board as soon as it can be arranged, to discuss
the impacts which retirement rates and contributions will have on the County. [See
page 5]
4. ACKNOWLEDGE that because the 1% salary increase granted to most employees
effective January 1, 1995 was in effect for only one-half of the 1994-95 fiscal year,
it must be annualized to a 12-month basis in order to accurately calculate the cost
of salaries and benefits for the 1995-96 fiscal year. [See page 6]
5. ACKNOWLEDGE that salary increases were granted to the Deputy Sheriffs'
Association (DSA) in accordance with the MOU with DSA effective October 1,
1994 and January 1, 1995. and that because these increases were in effect for only
a portion of the 1994-95 fiscal year, it is necessary to annualize these increases
to a 12-month basis in order to accurately calculate the cost of salaries and
benefits for the 1995-96 fiscal year. [See page 6]
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE (S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON January ' 1995 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER X
APPROVED the recommendations set forth above as amended to direct
that the budget be program based and to instruct the County's
lobbyist to work with the Association of .County Administrators,
School Districts, California Association of Cities, and
Association of Bay Area Governments to protect in the Governor' s
Budget those programs providing services to children and
families.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
XXUNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT:— ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN,
ATTESTED January 24 , 1995
Contact: PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
CC: SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
County Administrator
BY DEPUTY
6. DIRECT the County Administrator to determine how much of the cost of the
contractual obligations to the DSA can be offset with Proposition 172 funds. [See
page 6]
7. DIRECT the County Administrator to conduc a review of General County revenues
to formulate an estimate of the amount of rlIevenue which would be available for
financing services in fiscal year 1995-96 ad to ADVISE the Board of any new
financing options. [See pages 6-7]
8. ACKNOWLEDGE that, as a result of the settlement of the "Williams" case and due
to the. loss of legislative authority to adjust grants for shared housing, the General
Assistance Program is currently running a deficit of more than $1 million for the
1994-95 fiscal year and that there is little likelihood of balancing this budget before
the end of the fiscal year. [See pages 6-7]
9. RECOGNIZE that changes being proposed by the State and Federal Governments
to reduce welfare grants and tighten eligibility have the potential to further
exacerbate the General Assistance deficit Situation and increase costs for the
1995-96 fiscal year by an unknown amount unless these changes are implemented
in such a way as to protect counties from having individuals "dumped" onto
General Assistance. [See pages 6-7]
10. RECOGNIZE the serious situation which exists regarding the suspension of all SB
910 payments in California by the Federal overnment and the potential impact
that this decision will have on the County if it is not resolved satisfactorily in the
near future. [See page 7]
11. . RECOGNIZE the fact that the State seized $200 million of SB 910 funds from
counties in the 1994-95 fiscal year, $3.28billion of which represented Contra
Costa County's share of this revenue. ACIINOWLEDGE that the entire SB 910
Program is in jeopardy and that if the State does not receive these Federal funds
it may well try to seize other County GeneraFund revenues to order to balance
the State's Budget. [See page 7]
12. ACKNOWLEDGE that contracts with most aployee organizations expire October
1, 1995, that negotiations will be taking place between now and then, and that this
will once again provide a forum for examining the need for cost-of-living
adjustments (COLA's) versus maintaining this existing workforce. [See page 7]
13. ENCOURAGE the Superior Court and Munic pal Court in Contra Costa County to
coordinate their courtrooms and activities un,der a single presiding judge for the
entire County in order to improve the efficient and effectiveness of the trial courts
in this County. [See pages 7-8]
14. CONSIDER separately item 2.2 on today's Determination Calendar which is a
report from the County Administrator on a tions which are required to begin
implementation of the Juvenile Justice Continuum of Care concept, including
approval of an expanded Home Detention Program. [See page 8]
15. DIRECT the County Administrator to continue to meet with the Ad Hoc Budget
Committee for the purpose of seeking community input to the budget process.
[See page 9]
16. CONSIDER adjustments, as may be determined to be necessary, to the
membership of the Ad Hoc Budget Committee. [See page 9]
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17. NOTE that in 1991 the State transferred the responsibility for some 16 programs
to the counties which cost $2.2 billion (Realignment 1) and also transferred a
revenue source to the counties to fund those programs which did not produce as
much revenue as had been estimated by the State, leaving the counties to resolve
the funding shortfall in whatever ways they were able to design. [See pages 9-10]
18. ACKNOWLEDGE that the Governor's proposal for realignment of CWS, Foster
Care and Adoptions Programs, is only feasible if the transfer is accompanied by
a growing revenue source which adequately funds the programs being transferred
as well as the future growth of those programs. [See pages 9-10]
19. DIRECT the County Administrator and Acting Social Services Director to report to
the Board again as additional details become available regarding the adequacy of
the sales tax revenue which is projected to be received by this County to cover the
existing cost of the CWS, Foster Care and Adoptions Programs, which is $17.5
million for the current fiscal year. [See pages 9-10]
20. DIRECT the County Administrator and Acting Social Services Director to report to
the Board again as additional details become available regarding the extent of
added discretion the Board of Supervisors will have under the proposed transfer
of responsibility for the CWS, Foster Care and Adoptions Programs. [See pages
9-10]
21. NOTE that AB 1297 (Chapter 90, Statutes of 1991) established a reimbursement
schedule which called for the Trial Courts to be funded by the State at 50% for the
1991-92 fiscal year and at an additional 5% each additional fiscal year until the
Trial Courts were substantially funded by the State, meaning 70% in the 1995-96
fiscal year, and that this reimbursement schedule did not include any requirement
that counties take on additional fiscal burdens in exchange for the increased State
funding of the Trial Courts. [See pages 11-12]
22. ACKNOWLEDGE that, based on preliminary estimates of Trial Court expenditures
for the 1994-95 fiscal year of $34.5 million, under the Governor's proposal, the
State would be required to provide the County with $24.15 million, representing
70% of$34.5 million, an increase of$11.45 million over the $12.7 million which we
expect to receive for the 1994-95 fiscal year. [See pages 11-12]
23. ACKNOWLEDGE that if the State were to allow the counties to retain all fines,
forfeiture and penalty funds which are now sent to the State, Contra Costa County
would receive an estimated $9.1 million in additional revenue. [See pages 11-12]
24. ESTIMATE that the combination of funds the County would receive from the Trial
Court portion of the Governor's proposal would total $20.55 million, as follows:
$11.45 million - Additional Trial Court Funding Revenue
$ 9.10 million - Fine, Forfeiture and Penalty Revenue
$20.55 million - POSITIVE BENEFIT FROM TRIAL COURT
PORTION OF THE PROPOSAL [See pages 11-12]
25. ACKNOWLEDGE that 50% of the AFDC grant costs which are budgeted for the
1994-95 fiscal year equals $25,500,000, an increase of $22;950,000 over the
current costs of $2,550,000. [See pages 11-12]
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26. ESTIMATE that the net cost to the County of the Trial Court/AFDC Realignment
proposal may be approximately $2.4 million, calculated as follows:
$22.95 million - Increased Cost for AFDC Grants
$20.55 million - Increased -Revenue from Trial Court Funding
$ 2.40 million - NET COST TO THE COUNTY OF THIS
PROPOSAL [See pages 11-12]
27. ESTIMATE that this County's portion of the $241 million deficit resulting from the
Trial Court/AFDC Realignment could easily be as much as $6 million in addition
to the $2.4 million noted above, assuming that the County represents about 2.5%
of the statewide population and depending on how the allocations among counties
are determined. [See pages 11-12]
28. REQUEST the County Administrator to report back to the Board of Supervisors as
additional details becomes available regarding refinements to elements of the Trial
Court/AFDC Realignment Proposal and the projected fiscal impact of this Proposal
on the County. [See pages 11-12]
29. REQUEST the County Administrator to examine the feasibility of utilizing the areas
outlined by the Governor's Budget as mechanisms for offsetting all or a portion of
the deficit resulting from the Trial Court/AFDC transfer and report back to the
Board of Supervisors regarding the likelihood of using some or all of these items
for this purpose, including improving AFDC administration, improving controls over
General Assistance, reducing the County's Maintenance of Effort for Proposition
99/Realignment Health Programs, reducing the County's Maintenance of Effort for
Realignment Mental Health Programs, and other unfunded mandates which may
be identified by the State Administration. [See pages 12-14]
30. NOTE that all of the AFDC grant reduction proposals require approval by both the
State Legislature and the Federal Government and require that approval on what
appears to be a fairly tight timeframe in order to keep the State Budget in balance.
[See pages 14-15]
31. REQUEST the County Administrator and Acting Social Services Director to report
back to the Board of Supervisors as additional details become available regarding
how realistic it is to include in the 1995-96 County Budget the savings which are
projected from the grant reductions in AFDC being proposed by the Governor,
based on how receptive the Legislature and the Federal Government are to these
proposals and their timing. [See pages 14-151
32. CONCUR with the emphasis the Governor wants to place on the important
responsibility undertaken by a young man in deciding to father a child through a
campaign to highlight the rights and responsibilities of being a father, including
aggressive enforcement of child support laws. [See page 16]
33. REQUEST the County Administrator and Acting Social Services Director to report
back to the Board of Supervisors as additional details become available regarding
any possible savings from the Governor's proposals regarding increasing
participation in the GAIN Program. [See pages 16-17]
34. EXPRESS to this County's legislative delegation the Board's concern with the
extent to which the anticipated $732 million in Federal reimbursements for health
care costs and correctional costs are reasonable and can legitimately be included
as anticipated revenue in the State Budget. [See page 19]
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BACKGROUND:
L INTERNAL BUDGET CHALLENGES FACING THE COUNTY IN THE 1995-96
FISCAL YEAR BUDGET.
A. Local Problem
The County has a number of internal budget problems which must be addressed
regardless of what the State and Federal Governments do or do not do to the
County. The local problem consists of two components. One component involves
problems which will roll forward from this budget year in the form of non-recurring
revenues or one-time appropriation decreases. The second component consists
of normal increases in costs due to inflation, contractual obligations and costs
otherwise not controllable by the County. What follows is a preliminary breakdown
of how the local problem is estimated in terms of net County cost to the General
Fund.
Item Amount
Non-Recurring Revenue $9,300,000
For the current year budget, the use of $9,300,000 in non-recurring revenue from
the Tax Losses Reserve Fund was used to offset a small portion of the $58.0+
million permanent property tax losses required by the State in the last fiscal year.
In fiscal year 1995-96, this $9,300,000 sum becomes a part of the local problem
unless replacement revenue can be identified.
Retiree Health Benefits $7,500,000
Last year, the Retirement Board transferred monies from its undistributed earnings
and contingency reserve to subsidize the cost of retiree health benefits. For fiscal
year 1995-96, the Retirement Board's investments are expected to be $30 to $35
million below target. This item anticipates no continuing subsidy for the cost of
retiree health benefits.
Retirement Plan Rates for Employees $5,500,000 to 10,600,000
For the current fiscal year, the Retirement Board subsidized employee retirement
plan rates to the extent of $7.5 million in gross dollars because investment
earnings exceeded investment targets. The impact on the General Fund translated
to $5.5 million when adjusted for federal, state and other revenue sources which
finance retirement costs. For fiscal year 1995-96, no subsidy is expected because
of lower than anticipated investment earnings as mentioned above.
Additional costs may be incurred by the County if the Retirement Board decides
to resolve its expected $30 to $35 million under-realized revenue problem by
raising retirement rates. Retirement officials report that if this policy is followed,
the problem will be spread over a five year period. This will mean an additional
$6 to $7 million gross cost to the County in fiscal year 1995-96 which translates
to a $4.4 to $5.1 million net county cost.
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Existing Employee Contractual Obligations $2,015,000
The cost of employee salary and benefit adjustments which will carry forward to
1995-96 are those which were in effect for a part of this fiscal year. Therefore, the
1% COLA effective January 1, 1995 has a six month impact on the 1994-95
budget, but a twelve month impact on the 1995-96 budget. In addition, the Deputy
Sheriffs' Association received 4% COLAs on October 1, 1994 and January 1, 1995
which will have a similar impact. Combining these two items would roll forward a
$2,015,000 net county cost increase for fiscal year 1995-96.
General County Revenues $<4,000,000>to<3,500,000>
General County revenue is estimated to increase approximately 2% next fiscal
year. The primary reason is that property tax revenue, the largest revenue source,
is expected to increase only about 1.5%. Proposition 13 normally provides for an
annual inflation adjustment of 2% for property tax assessments on property which
has not been sold during the year, regardless of how high inflation may actually
have been. However, if inflation is actually less than 2%, this adjustment factor
is reduced accordingly. Since the market value of many properties has actually
declined over the past year and so many assessments have actually been reduced
as a result of appeals, it appears that the adjustment factor probably will amount
to only 1% in 1995-96, according to State estimates. Other major revenue sources
such as sales taxes and motor vehicle license fees, are expected to increase
slightly more than 2% in 1995-96, leading to an overall estimate of a 2% increase
in General County revenues.
GRAND TOTAL $20,315,000 to 25,915,000
B. Department Revenues/Future Contracts/Uncontrollables
In addition to the above items, a number of revenue losses and cost increases
must be considered in the local problem formulation, which cannot be quantified
at this point.
1. General Assistance
2. SB-910
3. Future Employee Contractual Obligations
4. The Impact of "Three Strikes" on the Justice System
5. Juvenile Hall
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6. Uncontrollable Cost Increases
We comment below on each of these items in more detail:
1. General Assistance
At this time General Assistance expenditures for the current fiscal year are
estimated at $12.2 million, $1.2 million more than the $11 million budget.
Projected overexpenditures in General Assistance are primarily due to the fact that
the State Legislature allowed the law which had permitted the shared housing
adjustment to expire January 1, 1995. Until January 1, 1995, legislation was in
place which allowed the General Assistance grant to be adjusted if individuals
shared housing with others, to reflect the lower cost of living.
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Another factor affecting the General Assistance budget has been the settlement
of the "Williams" lawsuit. In accordance with the settlement, Contra Costa does
not now impose a sanction for the first violation of program regulations, but rather
just issues a warning notice.
Proposed changes in State and Federal eligibility requirements could have the
effect of eliminating individuals and families from AFDC and thereby making them
eligible for General Assistance unless counties are protected from this possibility
by providing that individuals who are made ineligible for AFDC are also ineligible
for General Assistance.
2. SB 910 (Medi-Cal Administrative Claiming)
SB 910 is a mechanism under which the state allowed the counties to claim
federal revenue for eligible Medi-Cal administration. As with many federal
programs, the state acted as the fiduciary agency in packaging the claims and
receiving and distributing the revenues.
County revenues under SB 910 have received a double blow in the 1994-95 fiscal
year:
0 As a means of balancing its budget, the state seized $200 million of county
SB 910 revenues. Contra Costa County's share of this seizure was $3.28
million, which exceeded total SB 910 revenues for the county in the 1993-
94 fiscal year.
0 Following this action, the federal government has suspended all SB 910
payments to the State of California following a finding of discrepancies in
an audit of Los Angeles County. No discrepancies were found in two
subsequently audited counties. At this time, there is considerable debate
concerning California's regulations under SB 910 and a delegation recently
went to Washington to discuss resolution of the federal 'concerns and
resumption of the SB 910 payments.
There are indications that the Federal Government is leaning in the direction
of denying reimbursement for all of California's SB 910 program, both
retroactively and prospectively. We are concerned about the impact such
an action would have on this County.
3. Future Employee Contractual Obligations
Most of the County's contractual obligations with its employee organizations expire
October 1, 1995. Negotiations will begin in the near future and will no doubt
continue through the spring and summer. These negotiations will again open the
issue we have faced for the past several years regarding whether to provide our
employees cost-of-living adjustments (COLA's) at the risk of reducing the overall
workforce or forego COLA's in order to conserve jobs.
4. Three Strikes
Last November the voters approved a ballot measure which incorporated the three-
strikes legislation into the State Constitution. This law significantly increases
sanctions particularly on the third felony offense when there are two prior violent
felonies. Unfortunately, the rules governing due process were not changed.
Because of the severity of the sanctions on the third offense, it can be anticipated
that there will be fewer criminal pleas, more pre-trial motions and delaying tactics
on the part of the defense attorneys, and more criminal trials. Although the overall
number of criminal felony cases may not increase, the time it takes to try these
cases may increase dramatically. Some of this has already begun to occur in our
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court system. An initial accommodation by the court system that can be
anticipated is delaying civil cases so that more Superior Court Departments will be
available for criminal courts.
This, in turn, will make it more difficult for the District Attorney to adequately cover
all the various court locations with existing personnel. The judges of this County
could significantly mitigate some of the impact of the "three strikes" law by
coordinating their courtrooms and activities under a single presiding judge for both
the Superior and Municipal Courts combined. This would make for a more cost-
effective and efficient court system and would reduce personnel and fiscal impacts
on other justice agencies. This has been proposed by the County Administrator
to the Superior and Municipal Court judges in this County. At this point, such an
arrangement has failed to occur.
5. Juvenile Hall
The Juvenile Hall was recently inspected and certified to be in compliance with the
minimum standards for juvenile halls. However, after two years maintaining
acceptable population levels at Juvenile Hall, crowded conditions have once again
resumed. For 24% of fiscal year 1993-94, the average daily population (ADP)
exceeded the maximum capacity of 160 beds. For the first half of fiscal year
1994-95, the ADP exceeded the maximum on 50% of the total days. Overcrowded
conditions at the Hall are cause for concern because of the difficulty of managing
the increased number of youth, the increased use of temporary staff, and the
negative budgetary impacts.
Population control has been an ongoing challenge for Hall administration. In fiscal
year 1990-91, the Hall was under threat of decertification by the California Youth
Authority because of the crowded conditions. Emergency measures including a
court-ordered population cap of 130 and more stringent intake criteria, coupled with
other administrative measures, stabilized and reduced the Hall population to
acceptable limits from a capacity standpoint. However, the Hall capacity was not
meeting the needs of the Juvenile Court and local police agencies and, in
response to their needs, the County opened in January 1994 the 20-bed Serious
Offender Unit, raising the maximum Hall capacity to 160 and the court-ordered and
budgeted capacity to 150. It is apparent, however, that population control will
continue to be a challenge despite the increased capacity at the Hall.
Short-term measures are being exercised in an attempt to mitigate and avoid
overcrowding. These measures include sleeping youth in the previously closed
Boys' Center (closed for budgetary reasons in 1990), expanding the use of home
supervision and expediting placement of post adjudicated youth at available
facilities. A proposal to establish an electronic monitoring program has also been
developed and follows this report on the Board's Determination Calendar today.
Juvenile Hall population will continue to be closely monitored. We will update the
Board on the status of this situation in the second quarter budget report.
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6. Uncontrollable Cost Increases
As the Board is aware, first class postage costs have been increased by 10%
effective January 1, 1995. These increased costs have to be factored into the
County Budget for the 1995-96 fiscal year. In addition, there are unavoidable
increases for such items as the purchase of drugs for the Health Services
Department, increases in the cost of paper and paper products and increases in
the cost of utilities which must be factored into the 1995-96 Budget. In a budget
the size of the County Budget, these items can easily add hundreds of thousands
of dollars to existing costs.
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C. Ad Hoc Budget Committee
Over the last four years, the County has been advised on budget matters by the
Ad Hoc Budget Committee. This Committee is comprised of a wide range of
interests, including business, labor, community-based organizations, and the chairs
of a number of County advisory committees. A roster of the Committee
membership is attached for the Board's information. The Board of Supervisors
may, of course, wish to modify this membership.
ll. MAJOR PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET FOR THE
1995-96 FISCAL YEAR.
A. Expansion of Realignment to include Child Welfare Services (CWS,
Foster Care and Adoptions.
✓ The State will transfer .22330 of State sales tax to counties to a new
Children's Services Account in the Local Health and Welfare Trust
Fund.
✓ The State claims that this will produce $710 million in 1995-96
statewide.
Of The State will combine this money with the existing Social Services
Account to form a pool of $1.1 billion for the existing Social Services
Programs, plus CWS, foster care and adoptions.
✓ Counties will assume responsibility for 100% of the non-federal costs
of the CWS, foster care and adoptions programs.
In 1991, the State "realigned" several programs by transferring authority to operate
some 16 different programs, costing at that time some $2.2 billion, to the counties,
along with a source of revenue - a portion of the State's sales tax and a portion
of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) revenue. This sales tax and VLF revenue is
transferred by the State to a"Local Health and Welfare Trust Fund" in the County.
In turn, this Trust Fund is divided into several "Accounts", one each for Mental
Health, Social Services and Health Services. Most other sources of State General
Fund revenue which had been supporting these programs were eliminated.
Realignment has the advantage of reducing the extent to which State funds are
tied to specific programs, thereby increasing the Board's discretion to utilize funds
where they are needed. Unfortunately, because of the downturn in the economy,
the State overestimated by $242 million the amount of revenue which would be
generated from 1/20 of sales tax in the 1991-92 fiscal year, leaving counties short
of funds with which to operate these programs. A significant problem is created
when human service programs are funded with a revenue source which is as
dependent on the economy as is sales tax. What happened in 1991 was that 1/20
of sales tax revenue generated less revenue than had been projected and the
demand for services stayed at the same level or actually increased.
In the 1995-96 State Budget, the Governor is proposing to expand the Social
Services Account to include Child Welfare Services (CWS), Foster Care and
Adoptions. The State would transfer .22330 of State sales tax revenue to the
counties to fund these programs and the counties would assume 100% funding
responsibility for the non-federal share of these programs. The State projects that
.22330 of sales tax revenue will produce $710 million in the 1995-96 fiscal year.
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This new revenue will be combined with the existing Social Services Account to
form a new Children's Services Account within the Health and Welfare Trust Fund.
When combined with the existing Social Services Account, the State projects that
there will be a fund of $1.1 billion available to finance the non-federal share of
these programs. The specific programs which can be funded from the Social
Services Account currently include:
o Crime and delinquency programs funded pursuant to Welfare and
'Institutions Code (W&IC) § 1794.
o Youth Service Bureaus funded pursuant to W&IC § 1904.
o The required State match for Social Services Programs as specified
in W&IC § 10101.
o The State share of the County Services Block Grant pursuant to
W&IC § 10101.1.
o The State share for the GAIN Program, pursuant to W&IC § 11322
and 11322.2.
o The State share of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Program.
o The State share of certain Social Service Programs specified in
W&IC § 15200, including the costs of foster care and hard-to-place
adoptive children.
o The State share of administering the AFDC grant programs.
o The State administrative costs of the Food Stamp Program, pursuant
to W&IC § 18906.5.
o The State share of the California Children's Services (CCS) Program,
pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 265.
o The State share of county justice system subvention programs
funded pursuant to W&IC § 1806. .
The immediate question which comes to mind based on the counties' past
experience is whether .22330 of sales tax will actually generate $710 million in the
1995-96 fiscal year. The next question is what the cost of the existing CWS,
Foster Care and Adoptions Programs are statewide and whether $710 million can
realistically be expected to cover the existing level of services. The biggest risk
the counties face, of course, is that in the future. the growth in the revenue
produced by .22330 of sales tax will not begin to cover increasing demands for
these children's services. The other big unknown at this point is how much
additional discretion counties will have to shift funds among these children's
services programs and to operate the programs somewhat differently than they are
operated today. If the counties gain sufficient discretion and control over the
operation of these programs then undertaking some additional fiscal risk may be
appropriate.
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B. Trial Court - AFDC Grant Alignment
✓ The State will increase Trial Court funding to 70% of costs in 1995-
96 fiscal year, for a total State cost of $1.255 billion, $916 million of
which is a new cost to the State.
✓ This increase will cost the State (save the counties) $605 million in
1995-96, assuming Trial Court costs are $1.7936 billion.
✓ The State will return fine, forfeiture and penalty revenue to the
counties.
✓ The return of fines, forfeitures and penalties to the counties is
estimated to cost the State (save the counties) $311 million in 1995-
96.
✓ The Trial Court portion of the package, therefore, costs the State
(saves the counties):
$605 million - Trial Courts funded at 70%
Return fine, forfeitures and penalty
$311 million - revenue to counties
$916 million - TOTAL SAVINGS TO THE COUNTIES
✓ In exchange, the counties would become responsible for 50% of the
non-federal share of AFDC grants, beginning July 1, 1995.
✓ The State maintains that this cost is $1.157 billion annually.
✓ The State agrees that there is, thereby, a funding gap of:
$1.157 billion - AFDC grant cost to the counties
$ 916 million - Trial Court savings to counties
$ 241 million - SHORTFALL ALLOCATED TO COUNTIES
The Governor proposes a funding tradeoff between the cost of the Trial Courts
(Municipal and Superior Courts) and the cost of the Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC) Program. These are admittedly two of the major programs which
are funded in part with local revenue but over which boards of supervisors have
little control.
The proposal involves increasing State funding for the Trial Courts to 70%
statewide and allowing counties to retain the fine, forfeiture and penalty revenue
which is now forwarded to the State. In return, the counties would increase their
responsibility for the funding of the AFDC Program from the current 5% to 50% of
the non-federal share (from 21/2% to 25% of total costs).
The ironic thing about this proposal is that State law already expresses the
Legislature's intent to increase the State's share of the Trial Courts to 70%
bY the 1995-96 fiscal year without any increased responsibility on the part
of the counties!
The Governor's Budget determines that the amount of money required to bring
State funding of the Trial Courts up to 70% is an additional $605 million. Currently
the State spends $625 million on the Trial Courts, but $300 million of this is fine,
forfeiture and penalty revenue.which is sent to the State by the counties. The
State begins by using the approved State Trial Court Budgeting Commission
approved budget for 1995-96 of $1.7936 billion. Seventy percent of this figure is
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$1.255 billion. The State would continue to fund $339 million which is not fine,
forfeiture and penalty revenue,presumably $325 million for the 1994-95 fiscal year
and $14 million inflation for the 1995-96 fiscal year. In addition, the State would
add an additional $605 million and would allow counties to retain the fine, forfeiture
and penalty revenue which now goes to the State, which is estimated to total $311
million in the 1995-96 fiscal year.
$ 339 million - Existing State Funding
$ 605 million - New State Funding
$ 311 million - Retain Fine, Forfeiture and Penalty Revenue
$1.255 billion - 70% State Funding for the Trial Courts
The State projects that the increased cost for the counties to move to 50% funding
of the non-federal share of AFDC grants is $1.157 billion in the 1995-96 fiscal
year. When the new State funding for the trial courts of $916 million ($605 million
in new State funds and $311 million in fine, forfeiture and penalty revenue) is
subtracted from the new cost of the AFDC grants of $1.157 billion, one can
readily see that the counties are short $241 million, a figure the State agrees
represents the unfunded balance that has to be made up in some way.
C. Possibilities for offsetting the deficit to counties.
The State has suggested several ways in which counties can offset their
share of the $241 million deficit:
✓ The State will provide a fund of $40 million ($20 million each State
and Federal funds) for competitive application grants to improve
AFDC administration in order to help reduce grant costs:
Increase fraud prevention and detection efforts
Increase child support efforts
Increase job training and evaluation efforts
Increase error rate reduction efforts
The Governor's Budget Summary includes the following explanation of this
proposal:
"An important corollary of this change is an effort to improve
county AFDC administration activities. The Department of
Social Services will initiate an effort aimed at giving counties
the necessary flexibility to achieve welfare program objectives.
This proposal is consistent with the Administration's view that
the state should participate in the formulation of policy and
overall program objectives, and focus on results rather than
day-to-day operations.
"The Department will work with counties to further define areas
where fiscal incentives or increased areas of flexibility would
further the goals of reducing fraud and promoting self-
sufficiency. The Department believes counties will respond to
this framework by reevaluating the efficiency and effectiveness
of their activities in a variety of areas. Examples include a
possible reduction in error rates, increased activities to prevent,
detect and prosecute fraud, a renewed emphasis on the
transition from welfare to work, and improved coordination with
the District Attorney's Office for child support collections.
These activities will assure that resources are available to
provide assistance to the truly needy.
12
This County, however, has already undertaken an aggressive program to
enforce child support obligations. As a result, additional savings may be
more difficult to achieve than in counties which have been less aggressive
in this area.
"The budget contains $20 million, with no county share of cost,
to assist counties initiating efforts to improve county
administration. These incentives, coupled with an increased
county share of cost in AFDC grant expenditures, are estimated
to result in AFDC grant savings to counties of $70 million."
It is difficult to imagine that in this County, at least, our share of $70 million
would be achievable given past efforts to improve the administration of the
AFDC Program. Obviously, without knowing what chances this County
would have of competing successfully for these funds it is impossible to
place a price tag on the value of this proposal to this County. It is,
however, certainly one alternative that should be pursued strongly.
✓ Improve controls over General Assistance costs by proposing
legislation re shared housing, durational limits, counting medical care
as a part of the benefit package and more flexibility in the use of
alternatives to cash payments.
The Governor's Budget Summary includes the following explanation of this
proposal:
"Counties currently spend close to $500 million for cash grants
and administration of General Assistance, and have had little
success in court in limiting their costs for this program. The
Administration will propose legislation giving county boards of
supervisors broad authority to determine what assistance they
choose to provide and for counties that choose to continue a
program, options to assist them in controlling program costs.
Options will include extension of the shared housing reduction
allowances that sunset on December 31, 1994; the ability to
impose time limits on the duration of aid; authorization to
include medical care as part of the benefit package; and, greater
flexibility in the use of alternatives to cash payments.
"Savings to counties would depend on board action to take
advantage of available cost containment measures."
The Board of Supervisors has adopted a self-sufficiency program which
encourages seeking work, working, and drug and alcohol treatment when
appropriate. Without seeing specific language it is difficult to estimate the
possible impact on this County of the proposed changes in the General
Assistance Program. Certainly, this Board of Supervisors has demonstrated
its concern with the humane treatment of its citizens as well as with the
value of encouraging General Assistance recipients to become self-
supporting members of the community.
✓ Relief of Maintenance of Effort in Proposition 99/Realignment Health
area.
13
The Governor's Budget Summary includes the following explanation of this
proposal:
"Proposition 99 requires that counties maintain a specified
financial maintenance of effort, defined as realignment health
funding with a county match, plus an additional amount based
on what a county was spending for health services in 1988-89.
"This proposal would allow counties to reduce the Realignment
portion of the maintenance of effort by up to 10 percent. If all
counties took this action, savings would approximate $96
million."
As we understand this proposal, taking advantage of reducing the County's
maintenance of effort requirement would have the effect of reducing the
level of services to indigent residents of the County. Whether this is
feasible will have to be decided by the Board of Supervisors if this
alternative becomes a reality.
✓ Relief of Maintenance of Effort in Realignment Mental Health area.
The Governor's Budget Summary includes the following explanation of this
proposal:
Through 1994-95, counties have the authority to reduce their
maintenance of effort match payments for Realignment mental
health money by up to $15 million. This proposal would extend
that authority to the extent it does not jeopardize the receipt of
federal matching funds. It is possible that this could be
expanded to provide maintenance of effort relief of
approximately $25 million.
As we understand this proposal, taking advantage of reducing the County's
maintenance of effort requirement would have the effect of reducing the
level of services to mentally ill residents of the County. Whether this is
feasible will have to be decided by the Board of Supervisors if this
alternative becomes a reality.
✓ Other, unidentified, mandate relief proposals which are to be
identified.
The Governor's Budget Summary includes the following explanation of this
proposal:
With direction from Governor Wilson, the Administration has '
undertaken an aggressive review of all unfunded state
mandates to reduce the unnecessary mandate burden on all
local governments. Legislation will be introduced to repeal,
simplify or amend unnecessary and/or obsolete state mandates.
Without knowing exactly what unfunded mandates the Governor is referring
to, it is impossible to measure the potential value of this proposal.
However, past proposals in a similar vain have proven to have wildly
inflated values attached to them. In addition, many have become so much
a part of the accepted way of life in the local community that abolishing
them is, for all practical purposes, impossible. We will report back in more
detail once we see some of the specific proposals the Administration has
in mind.
14
D. AFDC Grant changes proposed:
✓ Assumes that the 2.3% grant reduction approved in the 1994 State
Budget will be approved by the Federal Government for
implementation by March 1, 1995. ($52.8 million State savings in
1995-96)
✓ Assumes an additional 7.7% grant reduction to be effective
September 1, 1995, requiring approval by the Legislature by July 1,
1995 and by the Federal Government. ($166.7 million State savings
in 1995-96)
✓ After being on AFDC for six months, beginning March 1, 1996, AFDC
families with an able-bodied adult would continue on a grant 15%
below the above reduced grant. The earned income exemption
would be increased. ($100 million State savings in 1995-96)
✓ A mother under the age of 18 must live with her parents as a
condition of receiving AFDC, unless the home is judged dangerous
for the mother or child. (No savings are projected because of
increased CWS expenditures to check out the adequacy of the
home)
✓ After 24 months on AFDC, an able-bodied adult in an AFDC family
would be eliminated from the grant, although the rest of the family
could continue to receive aid. This would be effective July 1, 1997
and would have no effect during the 1995-96 or 1996-97 fiscal years.
(No savings until the 1997-98 fiscal year)
The major problem with all of these proposals is that they require concurrence by
the State Legislature and approval by the Federal Government. The Governor's
Budget outlines what appears to be a rather optimistic timetable for implementation
of these proposals, even if they are approved by the Legislature and the Federal
Government. The first 2.3% grant reduction, which has been approved by the
Legislature as a part of the 1994-95 State Budget but which has been delayed by
the courts until the State actually receives Federal approval, would have to receive
Federal approval in time to be implemented on March 1, 1995. Given the lead
time required by most counties for implementation of an across-the-board grant
reduction, counties would probably have to be advised within the next couple
of weeks that Federal approval had been obtained in order to make the change
effective March 1, 1995.
The additional 7.7% grant reduction would have to be approved by both the
Legislature and the Federal Government by July 1, 1995 to be effective September
1, 1995. Then, the 15% grant reduction for a family headed by an able-bodied
parent, which is to be effective March 1, 1996, would likewise have to receive
approval by the State Legislature and the Federal Government, the proper
households would have to be identified and the grant reductions implemented, not
an easy task.
The Governor's Budget also proposes to require that a mother who is still a minor
be required to live with her parents in order to receive AFDC, unless it can be
established that her parents' home is an unfit place for her or her children to live.
The Governor's Budget admits that there will be no monetary savings from this
proposal because of the number of instances in which it will be necessary for
social workers to investigate the parents' home to determine whether it is a fit or
unfit place for the mother and her children to live.
15
The Governor's Budget also proposes to remove an able-bodied adult from the
AFDC budget after two years, although the adult would continue to be eligible for
Medi-Cal and Food Stamps. Removing the adult from the grant would reduce the
amount of money going to the family, without changing anything else about the
family's situation. Since this proposal would not be effective for two years, it would
provide no savings to either the State or counties until July 1, 1997 for the 1997-98
fiscal year budget.
E. Other Welfare/Social Services Program Initiatives:
✓ Focus on Fathers
The Governor proposes that the State Department of Social Services
conduct a campaign to highlight the rights and responsibilities of being a
father. This campaign will be conducted within existing resources and will
be coordinated with local community-based efforts and the Department's
child support public awareness effort.
We certainly agree with the Governor that it is important that young men be
reminded of the responsibilities associated with becoming a father and of
the importance of a father's presence in the raising of children and of their
long-term responsibilities to provide both financial and emotional support to
their child and to the child's mother.
✓ Increase participation in Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)
The Governor's Budget notes the incentives which have been put in place
in recent years to encourage counties to improve GAIN performance and
notes that the recommendations of the Governor's GAIN Advisory Council
will be implemented using existing unspent GAIN funds from the 1993-94
and 1994-95 fiscal years. These recommendations, as outlined in the
Governor's Budget, are in four major areas:
• "Modifications to current criteria to reduce
exemptions and deferrals, including those
instances where recipients have employment but
do not earn at least the minimum wage.
• "Modifications to the current conciliation process
which allows an extensive number of conciliations
for recipients who do not participate appropriately
in GAIN. Recipients who do not cooperate with
GAIN requirements would enter into the
conciliation process once before being subject to
sanctions. In addition, subject to federal waiver,
other program benefits, such as Food Stamps,
would not increase when sanctions are imposed.
• "Strengthening the program's employment
orientation by focusing job club and job search
activities as the initial steps in the GAIN program.
Further, even those recipients in education
programs would be requires to participate
concurrently in training or work activities.
16
• "Expansion of job club and job search activities
within available funding for AFDC applicants and
for non-custodial parents. This requirement would
not apply to disabled adults, child only cases,
immediate assistance, and homeless assistance
cases."
We need to see more details about these proposals before we are
able to comment on their value to the County. We are, however,
committed to seeing as many AFDC recipients as possible trained for
and seeking employment which will allow them to support their
families and become self-supporting members of the community. As
we obtain additional information about the details of these proposals
we will provide further reports to the Board of Supervisors.
✓ Welfare Program Integrity - Increased fraud detection and prevention
efforts which are already underway. These efforts are described in
the Governor's Budget as follows:
• "During the fall of 1993, the Department of Social
Services convened a strategic .planning group
consisting of county welfare directors, chief county
fraud investigators, and representatives from the
Departments of Health Services and Social
Services to identify the factors that weaken the
integrity of welfare programs. The goal of this
group was to assist the Department in developing
a comprehensive five-year plan for restoring
integrity to welfare programs in California. Many of
these concepts'are proposed for implementation in
1995-96. Altogether, activities designed to combat
fraud are estimated to save $72 million in 1995-96.
The major themes included in anti-fraud activities
include prevention, improving the tools and
_technology to detect fraud, increasing
accountability, program reform and managerial
efficiency."
We will continue to study and attempt to quantify these proposals
and develop estimates of the possible savings to the County from
their implementation.
✓ Implementation of Automated Fingerprint Image Reporting and Match
(AFIRM) Program statewide during 1995-96.
This program is described in the Governor's Budget as follows:
"One of the innovations in this area has been the
use of an automated fingerprint imaging system to
detect and prevent duplicate aid cases. This
system was first used three years ago in Los
Angeles County in its General Relief program. In
April 1994 the county and the Department of Social
Services began using this system in the AFDC
program. ...Based on the success of AFIRM in Los
Angeles County the Department of Social Services
intends to implement this system statewide once
necessary State and federal approvals are
obtained."
17
✓ Eliminate SSVSSP for those with Drug/Alcohol diagnosis.
This proposal is described in the Governor's Budget as follows:
• "Therefore, the Department of Social Services will
propose federal legislation to eliminate drug
addiction or alcoholism as criteria for SSI/SSP
eligibility. It is assumed that necessary State and
federal legislation will be enacted by October 1,
1995. General Fund savings in 1995-96 are
estimated to be $24.8 million in grants and $26.5
million in Medi-Cal expenditures."
The concern here, of course, is whether it will be possible for the
County to avoid the inevitable increase in the General Assistance
populations, assuming that the Federal Government approves of this
change.
✓ Grant reductions in SSI/SSP Program.
This proposal is described in the Governor's Budget as follows:
• "The Governor's Budget proposes a reduction in
SSI/SSP grants of 8 percent for individuals and 10
percent for couples, exempting those in Non-
Medical Out of Home Care living arrangements. In
addition, anyone whose grant is eliminated
because of other income will retain Medi-Cal
eligibility at no cost to the individual. It is
assumed that federal legislation eliminating the
current maintenance of effort requirement would be
enacted by October 1, 1995."
✓ Eliminate Federal Administrative fee for SSI/SSP Program.
This proposal is described in the Governor's Budget as follows:
• "Unlike AFDC, Food Stamps and Medi-Cal, the
federal government not only establishes eligibility
standards for SSI, it administers the program. In
1993-94, the federal government began charging
states a fee for administration of the Supplemental
Security Income's (SSI) State Supplemental
Program (SSP). This fee will cost the General Fund
$38 million in 1994-95 and is scheduled to increase
to $61.2 million in 1995-96.
"California and other states believe they will be
successful in convincing the federal government to
accept its responsibility to r support SSI/SSP
administration. General Fund savings in 1995-96
are estimated to be $50 million based on an
October 1, 1995 implementation date.
i
18
✓ Eliminate 10 optional Medi-Cal benefits.
The Governor's Budget proposes to eliminate the following ten
optional Medi-Cal benefits:
• adult dental
• psychology
• chiropractic
• podiatry
• independent rehabilitation centers
• acupuncture
• medical supplies
• 'speech services
• audiology services
• non-emergency medical transportation
These services would continue to be provided to children under the
age of 21, persons in long-term care and persons with
developmental,disabilities. The elimination of these benefits is
estimated to save $142.6 million in State General Fund dollars in the
1995-96 fiscal year.
The question for the County is whether it is actually feasible to totally
eliminate these services, just because the State determines that it
will no longer pay for these services. In addition, the elimination of
these optional services has been suggested on numerous occasions
in the past and the Legislature has always rejected their elimination.
✓ Increase utilization management, limit rate increases for hospital
contracts and reduce use of long-term care facilities.
• Changes in these areas detailed in the Governor's
Budget are estimated to save $75.8 million in the
1995-96 fiscal year.
F. Anticipated Federal Reimbursement. The Governor's Budget
anticipates reimbursement from the Federal Government for certain
costs of service to illegal aliens:
✓ $310 million for health costs.
✓ $422 million in corrections costs.
$732 million TOTAL
The Governor's Budget identifies over $3.6 billion in services which are
provided to illegal aliens, including $1.7 billion for education costs, $503
million in incarceration costs and $414 million in health case costs. In
addition, the Governor's Budget identifies $954 million in the cost of
providing education, health and welfare services to the citizen children of
illegal immigrants. Despite the fact that the State has to date received only
$130 million to reimburse the State for the costs of incarcerating illegal
immigrant felons, the Governor has included $732 million in Federal
reimbursement in the 1995-96 Budget, as is noted above. Not included are
the $1.7 billion in education costs and the $954 million in the cost of
providing services to the citizen children of illegal immigrants. While this
seems a far more responsible position to take than was assumed in past
State Budgets, there is still a great risk that the State will not receive
some or all of these Federal funds, thereby placing the entire State
Budget and therefore local governments in jeopardy again.
19
Ill. IMPACT OF THE MAJOR PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET ON CONTRA COSTA COUNTY'S 1995-96 BUDGET.
A. Expansion of Realignment to include Child Welfare Services (CWS),
Foster Care and Adoptions.
The Governor's budget proposes to transfer full funding responsibility for Child
Welfare Services, Foster Care, Adoption, the Adoption Assistance Program, the
Independent Living Program, Emergency Assistance and Family Preservation to
the counties. In return, the counties would receive the proceeds of .22330 of sales
tax revenues which would be deposited into a new realignment account. The
California Department of Social Services would receive t/2 of one per cent of the
new realignment funds. The sales tax growth would also be kept with the
realignment funds. At this time, it is not known how the realignment fund would
be allocated among the counties.
Based on fiscal year 1994-95, the Governor's proposal would reduce state funding
for the county's programs by $17,546,134. Of this, approximately $9.2 million lost
is in categorical aid and approximately $8.3 million in administration.
EFFECT OF REALIGNMENT II
STATE ALLOCATIONS TO BE REPLACED
BY REALIGNMENT FUNDS
Categorical Aids:
Foster Care 7,450,379
Severely Emotionally Disturbed 866,667
Adoption Assistance Program 885,439
9,202,485
Administration:
CWS 5,597,818
Independent Living Program 249,344
Adoptions 270,702
Family Preservation 1,000,000
Adoptions Assistance Program 4,540
Emergency Assistance 11,349
Foster Care 603,876'
Teen Pregnancy Disincentive 47,680
Homeless Assist./AFDC Restricted 68,660
Payments.
Specialized Care 137,592
Options for Recovery 239,930
Foster Parent Training & Recruitment 112,158
8,343,649
GRAND TOTAL
' The current AFDC administration allocation covers administration of foster care eligibility. The$603,876 assumes the state will
back that amount out of the AFDC allocation. Total is an estimate based on 10%of the AFDC allocation.
20
The Governor's budget also proposes unspecified new flexibility for counties.
Other features include:
requiring counties to develop county service plans with community
involvement in the expenditure of children and family service funds;
• development of outcome measures and performance indicators;
a redesigned oversight role for the state that relates to setting minimum
standards, providing competency training and technical assistance and
encouraging intra-county integration.
No specifics are yet available on the new role of the state in overseeing the
counties.
Questions which need to be answered over the next several weeks include the
following:
o What does the State project we will receive in 1995-96 from their proposal
compared to our projections of our costs?
o What real regulatory reform and flexibility will come with the transfer of
funds and responsibility?
o What regulatory reform and flexibility do we want from this proposal in the
use of CWS, foster care and adoptions funds?
o What input do we want to have to the formula for the distribution of the
"growth" in this account beginning in the 1996-97 fiscal year?
o How does this proposal coordinate with/conflict with our AB 1741 pilot
project?
B. Trial Court - AFDC Grant Alignment
It appears from a very preliminary assessment of the proposed funding
increase of the Trial Courts and return of the fine, forfeiture and penalty
revenue versus the assumption of 50% of the AFDC grant costs that this
County stands to lose approximately $2.4 million in the 1995-96 fiscal year.
The Social Services Department reports that 1994-95 budgeted AFDC grant
costs are $101,440,000, of which the County share is $2,550,000
(representing 2.5% of total costs or 5.0% of the non-federal share). The
Governor's proposal increases the County's share by 10 times, from 5.0%
to 50.0% of the non-federal share (from 2.5% to 25.0% of total costs). This
will increase County costs to $25,500,000, an increase of $22,950,000.
Offsetting this is a proposal to move to 70% funding of the Trial Court costs.
The approved Trial Court budget for the 1994-95 fiscal year is about $34.5
million. The County receives approximately 37% of this amount or $12.7
million. If the County were to receive 70% of this amount, the total revenue
would equal $24.15 million, an increase of $11.45 million. In addition, the
County would be allowed to retain the fine, forfeiture and penalty revenue
which is now sent to the State. In the 1994-95 fiscal year, this amount is
estimated to total approximately $9.1 million. Combining these two revenue
sources, the County would benefit by a total of $20.55 million.
21
However, when this benefit is offset against the increased cost of the
AFDC grants, it is obvious that the County could sustain a loss of
approximately $2.4 million. The question then becomes whether the County
can obtain enough benefit from the other proposals suggested by the State
to offset this net loss.
C. Possibilities for offsetting deficit to counties. The State has
suggested several ways in which counties can offset their share of the
$241 million deficit:
✓ The State will provide a fund of $40 million ($20 million each State
and Federal funds) for competitive application grants to improve
AFDC administration in order to help reduce grant costs:
Increase fraud prevention and detection efforts
Increase child support efforts
Increase job training and evaluation efforts
Increase error rate reduction efforts
We obviously have no way of knowing at this time whether the County
would be successful in obtaining any of these funds.
✓ Improve controls over General Assistance costs by proposing
legislation re shared housing, durational limits, counting medical care
as a part of the benefit package and more flexibility in the use of
alternatives to cash payments.
Automation of the General Assistance system has just been completed.
While it should result in increased program efficiencies, the system is just
too new to accurately estimate the magnitude of these savings.
The governor's proposal includes giving "broad authority" to counties over
General Assistance. Mentioned options include: re-institution of the shared
housing reduction allowances; the ability to impose time limits on the
duration of aid; authorization to include medical care as part of the benefit
package; and greater flexibility in the use of alternatives to cash payments.
The county would certainly welcome broader authority for General
Assistance; however, past experience has shown that the Legislature has
not been willing to give that authority to the counties.
✓ Relief of Maintenance of Effort in Proposition 99/Realignment Health
area.
✓ Relief of Maintenance of Effort in Realignment Mental Health area.
✓ Other, unidentified, mandate relief proposals which are to be
identified.
Questions:
o What potential is there for this County taking advantage of each of
these proposals?
22
D. AFDC Grant changes proposed:
The Social Services Department has been able to estimate the savings from
the 10% AFDC grant reduction (combining the 2.3% and 7.7% portions) and
has been able to estimate the savings from the 15% grant reduction for
AFDC families who remain on aid after six months and who have an able-
bodied adult in the family budget unit. The 10% reduction would reduce
what would otherwise be County costs by $2.56 million a year, assuming
that the shift in the AFDC sharing ratio is implemented so that the counties
are responsible for 50% of the non-federal share of the AFDC grants. This
means that if the shift in grant sharing is implemented, the County stands
to be at risk for some or all of $2.56 million if the 2.3% grant reduction and
then the 7.7% grant reduction are not approved either by the Legislature or
the Federal Government.
In terms of the additional 15% grant reduction for AFDC families which
remain on aid after six months where there is an able-bodied adult in the
family budget unit, the County's costs would be reduced by $1.7 million
annually from what they otherwise would be once this provision is fully
implemented. Of course, as is true for the basic grant reduction, if the shift
in AFDC grant sharing takes place and then the 15% additional reduction
does not get approved either by the Legislature or the Federal Government,
then this County would also be at risk for some or all of the $1.7 million in
grant costs. It is our understanding that these grant reductions are
incorporated in the State's estimates of the cost of shifting the sharing of
the AFDC grants to the counties. Therefore, any failure or delay in
implementing these reductions would have a direct and dramatic impact on
this County (as well as every other county in California).
We are not yet in a position to estimate any potential fiscal impact from the
other elements of the AFDC grant reductions which are proposed by the
Governor, although it is not expected that there are any additional savings
to the counties in the 1995-96 fiscal year from these other provisions.
E. Other Welfare/Social Services Program Initiatives:
We are not yet in a position to evaluate the possible impact of these
proposals on this County. As additional information becomes available to
the County, we will certainly share that information with the Board of
Supervisors.
F. Anticipated Federal Reimbursement. The Governor's Budget
anticipates reimbursement from the Federal Government for certain
costs of service to illegal aliens:
We are not yet in a position to evaluate the possible impact of these
proposals on this County. As additional information becomes available to
the County, we will certainly share that information with the Board of
Supervisors.
23
IV. SUMMARY
Including all of the items outlined above, the potential problem facing the County
as we approach the 1995-96 County Budget can be summarized as follows:
LOCAL PROBLEM $20,315,000 TO $25,915,000
REALIGNMENT II ?
TRIAL COURT/AFDC TRANSFER $2,400,000'
REMAINING DEFICIT AFTER
TRIAL COURT/AFDC TRANSFER $6,000,000
EFFORTS TO OFFSET ?
REMAINING DEFICIT
AFDC GRANT REDUCTIONS ?2
OTHER INITIATIVES ?
PENDING FEDERAL . ?
REIMBURSEMENT
POSSIBLE FISCAL EXPOSURE $28,715,000+ TO $34,315,000+
This figure is based on 199495 figures and assumes they will continue the same sharing
ratios In the 1995-96 fiscal year. This figure could be reduced, depending on action taken on
the AFDC grant levels.
2 This item can actually result in a savings ff the grant reductions receive State and Federal
approval In a timely manner.
24
AD HOC BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION
All members, Contra Costa Board of Supervisors
Auditor-Controller
Chair, CCC Health Plan Advisory Board
Chair, Contractors' Alliance
Chair, Family & Children's Services Advisory Comm
Chair, Family & Children's Trust Comm
Chair, Juvenile Justice Commission
Chair, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board
Chair, Mental Health Advisory Board
Chair, Mental Health Coalition
Chair, Public & Environmental Health Advisory Board
Community Services Director
County Administrator
County Counsel
County Health Officer
County Sheriff
County Welfare Officer
County Probation Officer
Director, Crisis & Suicide Intervention
Director, Office on Aging
Executive Director, Contra Costa County Health Plan
Executive Director, Family & Community Ser.
Executive Director, Family Stress Center
Exec. Vice President, CC Taxpayers Assn
Health Services Department, Office of Service Integration
Health Services Director
Mental Health Director
Representative, Council of Churches
Representative, Advisory Council on Aging
Representative, Drake House
Representative, FACT & FACSAC
Representative, Family Stress Center
Representative, Juvenile Justice Comm
Representative,Team sters Union, Local 315
Superintendent, CCC Office of Education
Superior Court Judge
Also invited to attend the meetings are representatives of the City/County Relations
Committee and representatives of the Executive Directors of the Chambers of
Commerce within the cities and unincorporated areas of the County.