1996-97 |
1997-98 |
Change From | |
Net Appropriation |
$828,990,000 |
$967,599,000 |
$138,609,000 |
Revenue |
779,646,000 |
904,769,000 |
125,123,000 |
Net County Cost |
$49,344,000 |
$62,830,000 |
$13,486,000 |
Positions |
5,012.0 |
5,434.0 |
422.0 |
The Proposed Budget for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) reflects increased Realignment financing for foster care caseload growth that will enable the Department to maximize available federal and State revenue. DCFS will be able to add critical child protection staff positions with an enhanced emphasis on adoptions. Also, additional staffing at MacLaren Children's Center (MCC) is proposed to accurately reflect the projected number of children requiring care as well as the enhanced attention needed for children residing at MCC over 30 days.
These recommendations do not reflect prospective State and federal welfare reform changes.
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
Change From | |
Net Appropriation |
$2,252,312,000 |
$1,852,638,000 |
($399,674,000) |
Revenue |
161,507,9000 |
1,304,636,000 |
310,443,000 |
Fund Balance/Cancellations |
191,812,000 |
97,479,000 |
(94,333,000) |
Net County Cost |
$445,421,000 |
$450,523,000 |
$5,102,000 |
Positions |
22,199.8 |
22,081.2 |
(118.6) |
The Proposed Budget for the Department of Health Services reflects the continued restructuring of the Department under the Medicaid Demonstration Project (1115 Waiver). In accordance with the Waiver Project Management Plan, access to health care services on an outpatient basis is further expanded by 836,000 visits, affording the County the opportunity to reduce the projected inpatient census by 100 (both changes exclude Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center; inpatient reduction excludes High Desert Hospital). Both the trauma and emergency room system and core public health services are maintained.
The Proposed Budget further assumes: privatization of Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center; conversion of High Desert Hospital to a comprehensive health center; full-year funding for the Martin Luther King, Jr./Drew Medical Center's new trauma center; increases in the AIDS program based on increased federal and County funding; expansion of the Community Health Plan (CHP) based on an increased number of Medi-Cal patients receiving services under a managed care system; the first-year installment of a multi-year information systems project to support the Waiver Project Management Plan and the expansion of the CHP; and various other program changes.
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
Change From | |
Net Appropriation |
$434,923,000 |
$467,543,000 |
$32,620,000 |
Revenue |
393,877,000 |
416,750,000 |
22,873,000 |
Net County Cost |
$41,046,000 |
$50,793,000 |
$9,747,000 |
Positions |
1,388.0 |
1,609.5 |
221.5 |
The Proposed Budget funds the Department at the minimum State maintenance of effort requirement. The $9.7 million net County cost (NCC) increase from the 1996-97 Adopted Budget reflects projected growth in Vehicle License Fee-Realignment revenue designated for Mental Health.
The Proposed Budget includes over $30 million in additional appropriation authority due to increased 1997-98 Realignment funding coupled with the estimated rollover of $13.6 million in 1996-97 Realignment Sales Tax revenue (including $4.2 million from 1996-97 Vehicle License Fees). This will enable the Department to expand mental health services in the jails, as well as pursue other program enhancements. Included is $10.2 million in State funding for the anticipated transfer of responsibility for the Fee for Service (FFS) Medi-Cal Outpatient Program from the State to the County, as well as a $5.5 million increase in State funding for the FFS Medi-Cal Inpatient Programs. Both of the programs are fully funded by the State.
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
Change From | |
Net Appropriation |
$2,953,776,000 |
$2,739,389,000 |
$(214,387,000) |
Revenue |
2,572,873,000 |
2,364,612,000 |
(208,261,000) |
Net County Cost |
$380,903,000 |
$374,777,000 |
($6,126,000) |
Positions |
9,817.0 |
10,145.0 |
328.0 |
he Proposed Budget reflects the addition of 328 positions, of which 304 are related to the GAIN program expansion which the Board of Supervisors approved on January 17, 1997. The combined Public Social Services (PSS) budget (Administration and Assistance) reflects a net decrease of $6 million. The components are described below.
Regarding PSS - Administration, the budget essentially maintains service levels despite an overall $11.2 million NCC reduction, which is largely attributable to an accounting correction related to past federal and State reimbursement claiming practices consistent with the Countywide Cost Allocation Plan (A-87). The Proposed Budget also assumes the Department will be successful in obtaining legislation to continue the County match waiver.
PSS - Assistance reflects a NCC increase of $5 million due to: increased In Home Supportive Services costs of $14.3 million (continuing caseload increase); combined with two minimum wage increases in 1996-97 and an additional two minimum wage increases scheduled for 1997-98; partially offset by $9.3 million in projected NCC savings in the Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and General Relief programs.
Pending final design and passage of the State's welfare reform program, the Proposed Budget does not reflect a major welfare reform impact. However, it does assume that legal immigrants in the United States as of August 22, 1996 will remain eligible for AFDC and full-scope Medi-Cal as proposed in the Governor's Budget, but will be terminated from the Food Stamp program.
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
Change From | |
Net Appropriation |
$1,082,433,000 |
$1,134,008,000 |
$51,575,000 |
Revenue |
582,100,000 |
646,702,000 |
64,602,000 |
Net County Cost |
$500,333,000 |
$487,306,000 |
($13,027,000) |
Positions |
13,102.0 |
13,851.0 |
749.0 |
The Proposed Budget adds $55.1 million in revenue-offset appropriation and 718 budgeted positions to provide full-year operation of the Twin Towers Detention Facility as approved by the Board of Supervisors on October 10, 1996. The Proposed Budget also includes $2.3 million in revenue-offset appropriation and 31 budgeted positions to provide additional contract law enforcement service. Notwithstanding these increases, the Proposed Budget requires the Sheriff to absorb over $9.0 million of employee benefit increases, and the Sheriff is currently determining the full impact of this absorption.
The Proposed Budget reflects reduced revenue for State prisoner maintenance and contract law enforcement due to adjustments in billing rates to comply with federal claiming guidelines. However, the Proposed Budget includes increased revenue from other sources, including anticipated growth in Public Safety Sales Tax receipts and second-year funding consistent with the federal State Criminal Alien Assistance program (SCAAP).