HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05151990 - S.1 i�
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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Supervisor Tom Torlakson Contra
Costa
DATE: May 15, 1990
County
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SUBJECT: REFER TO FINANCE COMMITTEE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF'�A PROGRAM
EVALUATION SYSTEM IN LIGHT OF SEVERE BUDGET CUTBACKS
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SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Refer to the Finance :Committee and the
County Administrator the need to establish a process for evaluating
human service programs for cost-effectiveness in light of the severely
tightened budget.. 1`
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: As we all know; in considering the
County budget, the basic and continuing problem is the lack of funding
to care for all of the programs we want to maintain.'' In no instance
is this "funding gap" more noticeable than in the area of human
services .
Of the "three essential powers of government, i .e. , ( 1)
secure funding (taxes, etc. ) , ( 2) establish prioritilles, and ( 3)
supervise, it appears to me that we have not yet fully explored the
potentials of the third element. In other words, while we must always
strive to find proper means to secure additional funding, realities
dictate that we must further increase our efforts to become more
cost-effective. We have achieved excellent improvements in many
areas .
A few years ago, staff and advisory group members reviewed
and recommended that funding for the existing methadone program be
reduced and reallocated to other drug programs . I supported this
action and have since been given to understand that 'it was a very
worthwhile and cost-effective move.
I would like to know what has been done since. Of the
several drug/alcohol, mental health or other human service programs
now in existence, what steps or means of evaluation ',have been applied?
Is it possible for board and commission members to evaluate programs
as to their true value in relation to funding used? ; I believe it is !
More can be done with very little staff involvement 'by our boards and
commissions . This would be a double benefit to our programs and to
our advisors .
TT:gro
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CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE.
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON May 15, 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
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y
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VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES:. AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN,
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CC: Finance Committee ATTESTED l� /?go
County Administrator Phil Batc for, Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and County Administrator
M382/7-83 BY DEPUTY