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Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for up to $140,000 with the Golden State Finance Authority to coordinate a jail medical care feasibility study for the Bay Area Region; Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the MOU and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) for $34,935, to fund the first year costs of the MOU in the Sheriff’s Office funded by the County General Fund (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends that the Solano County Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for up to $140,000 with the Golden State Finance Authority to coordinate a jail medical care feasibility study for the Bay Area Region;
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the MOU and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence; and
3. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) for $34,935, to fund the first year costs of the MOU in the Sheriff’s Office funded by the County General Fund (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) is a joint powers authority (JPA), and under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Gov. Code, §§6500 et seq.), is authorized to enter into an agreement to jointly exercise any power common to the contracting entities. Forty California counties are members of the GSFA, which primarily provides mechanisms to fund affordable housing and homeownership opportunities but also administers programs and projects to support a variety of public purposes.
Due to the continually increasing cost of providing mandated medical care for incarcerated individuals, counties throughout the state are interested in researching alternative models to meet this requirement. GSFA has convened five regional tasks forces to address this research need. Solano County is part of the Bay Area Region task force, along with Napa and Sonoma Counties.
On behalf of the five regions, GFSA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a qualified consultant to conduct a study to evaluate alternative methods for providing mandated medical care to incarcerated individuals in county detention facilities. The successful proposer was NCCHC Resources, which is the branch of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care that provides consulting services. GSFA will contract with NCCHC Resources and enter into an individual MOU (Attachment A) with each county to address each entity’s responsibilities under this study. The MOU will remain in effect until the contracted services are completed by NCCHC Resources unless terminated for cause.
The study will take place over two fiscal years and will begin with a comprehensive needs assessment tailored to each region, which at a minimum includes:
• Inventory of Existing Service Models
• Contractual and Operational Overview
• Identification of Shared Challenges and Gaps
• Stakeholder Engagement Summary
Upon completion of the needs assessment, the consultant will evaluate alternative methods for providing medical care. There are three core models that must be included in this evaluation:
• County-Operated (In-House) Model
• Contracted Medical Services Model
• Regional Joint Powers Authority or Shared Contract Administration Model
Each model will be assessed to determine its potential to meet required compliance criteria:
• Standards of Care Compliance
• Staffing Ratios and Coverage
• Range of Required Services
• Continuity and Quality Assurance
• Risk Mitigation and Liability Management
Upon receipt of the completed study in FY2026/27, staff will return to the Board to present the information and recommendations of steps forward.
FINANCING:
The County’s total share of cost for the regional study over two fiscal years shall not exceed $140,000. In FY2025/26, the anticipated amount is $34,935, and in FY2026/27, the anticipated cost is approximately $105,000. An ATR is necessary to allocate funding for services to be completed and billed during FY2025/26 in the amount of $34,935, and the year two amount will be included in the Sheriff’s FY2026/27 Requested Budget. The increased appropriation is offset by an increase in the County General Fund contribution.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the County Administrative Office’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the MOU or the ATR; however, this is not recommended as the study will provide valuable information to allow the County to make decisions regarding the future model for jail medical services in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Sheriff’s Office and the Probation Department were advised of the study and their engagement will be a component of the study.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION