Title
Empowerment Center Management for FY2017 (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to discuss the Empowerment Center Oversight Advisory Board’s recommendation that the City and County should conduct an analysis of a publicly-managed vs private/non-profit organization-managed homeless center and camping area at the Empowerment Center. **ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 10 MINUTES**
Explanation
On October 7, 2015, the Empowerment Center Oversight Advisory Board discussed and recommended that City and County staff conduct a comparison study of the cost of the City and County jointly managing the Empowerment Center and Dignity Village centers for the homeless. This cost comparison will provide information to determine policy direction regarding whether it should be operated as a governmental agency or continue to contract out management of the agencies. This cost analysis would include the operation of Dignity Village. This item is being discussed by the Oversight Advisory Board because FY 2016 is the final year of three-year contract with ACCHH for the management of services at the Empowerment Center.
Members also asked to see some type of City/County plan to operate the Empowerment Center and Dignity Village. Assistant City Manager Murry indicated staff would bring back the following next month: 1) Integration of Dignity Village and Grace; 2) extension of a one year contract with the current provider; 3) Information on what other governmental organizations are doing; 4) City and County staff develop an integrated model operated by local government. (Attached Minutes from the October 7, 2015 meeting).
This study would require County and City staff to develop a cost assessment of managing the entire operation (Social and Facilities services at or near the same level in FY 2017), and should include cost benefits, opportunities, and challenges of the City and County jointly managing and delivering services to the homeless. The public cost of managing services at the Empowerment Center should then be compared to the ACCHH’s proposed budget for FY 2017.
At the November 18th meeting, the Oversight Advisory Board asked staff to review and address other homeless services that are being provided by the City and County (respite care, Cold Night Shelter, and Rapid Rehousing Services).
It is expected that the cost analysis could be completed by February 2016, which would give the Oversight Advisory Board the opportunity to review the information and make a recommendation to the City Commission and the Board of County Commissioners on the future management of homeless services at the Empowerment Center. If the Oversight Advisory Board, City Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners wish additional time to review the cost comparison, the proposed budget for FY 2017 could be impacted and the Commissions could have limited financial options for providing services.
If more time is needed for decision-making, the City Commission and Board of County Commissioners could negotiate a one-year contract extension with ACCHH to continue the services they are currently providing, while the cost analysis is reviewed. (The City could continue to manage Dignity Village for the year as well.) The commissioners could also direct staff to develop a new RFP for homeless services at the Empowerment Center, which could be issued quickly if the City and County are not in agreement with the proposed process.
Fiscal Note
The City Commission and the Board of County Commissioners have agreed to fund ACCHH at $780,793.50 for FY 2016. Any cost associated with a new contract for services would be discussed as a part of the FY 2017 Budget process.
Recommendation
The Empowerment Center Oversight Advisory Board recommends the City Commission request an analysis comparing the cost of managing homeless services at the Empowerment Center by a joint agreement between the City and the County vs. a non-profit entity. The Oversight Board further requests that the Commission discuss the potential impact of the cost analysis plan and provide policy direction.
Alternative Recommendation: Direct staff to negotiate a one-year contract extension to ACCHH to provide homeless services at the Empowerment Center, have City Management continue the operating Dignity Village, and incorporate these costs in the FY 2017 budget.