Agenda Package 5-6-13 Reg. Meeting

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LEE,.,, COUNTY Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ITEM ABSTRACT ITEM NO. II. E. _ Information Meeting Date: May 6, 2013 Action Item XX Consent Agenda SUBJECT Proposed Senate Bill 385 DEPARTMENT Social Services CONTACT PERSON Brenda Potts, Director of Social Services REQUEST Transmit Resolution to Members of the General Assembly Requesting Reconsideration of the Bill as it Relates to the County Child Support Program. SUMMARY Two bills were proposed, original HB 343 and Senate Bill 385 that mirrored each other. The impact all of these costs will have on the counties is huge, not just in paying out funds, but in production costs and staffing costs. Basically, the county will be fronting 100% of these costs to the Clerk of Court, then getting 66% reimbursement from the Feds, and the county will be funding the remaining 34 %. While the county will get some return from the facility fees portion of these costs, it's not much. There's the additional costs the county will foot in financial administration staffing in writing checks for the advance costs and reporting for the recoupment of the federal funding and the receiving of the facility fees portion, among possible others. This is just swapping dollars in the big picture. As well, it could have a huge impact on the performance of the child support services staff, as it could impede those meeting timeframes, and reduce collections of child support for the families. All of these aspects will affect the return of federal incentive dollars that is based on levels of performance and timely actions. The cost of filing fees from 6 -1 -12 through 3- 20 -13, under the present requirements, was $18,150. With the new legislation (SB 385), the cost will climb to $38,025, and increase of $19,875. Since the original filing, the House Judiciary Subcommittee met with some members of the state and HB 343 was revised to exempt the Child Support Agencies from the additional filing fees and the up- front payments. However, the Senate Bill 385 still has the wording that the original HB 343 did and could cause a burden to the county Child Support Program. BUDGET IMPACT Additional cost not budgeted in 2013/2014 budget. ATTACHMENT(S) (1) Current Senate Bill 385, (2) Legislative Bulletin # 13 -11- Summary changes to HB 343, and (3) Chart of Additional Cost with new legislation PUBLIC HEARING No PRIOR BOARD ACTION N/A RECOMMENDATION Approve Resolution presented and submit to members of the General Assembly.