COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

DATE:

March 14, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 29, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Salary Ordinance Amendment setting up the remaining Department of Housing staffing structure

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an Amendment to the Salary Ordinance

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Offer a full range of housing choices

Goal 9: Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families.

This activity contributes to the goal by establishing a Department of Housing which will allow for a more focused approach to increasing the supply of affordable housing and creating a greater awareness of housing activities.

 

BACKGROUND:

On December 14, 2004 your Board accepted a report from the Board Housing Committee recommending the creation of a Department of Housing. That report recommended the formation of a new Department of Housing, separate from the Human Services Agency, with a department head who reports directly to the County Manager and the Board of Supervisors. The formation of a Department of Housing would allow for a more focused approach to increasing the supply of affordable housing countywide and create a greater awareness on the activities of the Housing Authority. Additionally, increased emphasis would be placed on long-range planning for housing, redevelopment, and economic development in the unincorporated areas.

The services within this new department will include the Housing Authority and housing and community development activities. Services provided by the Center on Homelessness will remain within the Human Services Agency.

On January 11, 2005 your Board adopted Ordinances 04248 and 04249 amending the County Ordinance Code by establishing a new County department, amending the Salary Ordinance adding a Housing Director position, one Executive Secretary position and transferring one Management Analyst position from the Human Services Agency to the Department of Housing, and approving an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $100,000 to partially cover salary and benefit costs and other operating expenses.

On February 15, 2005 your Board accepted the report from the County Manager outlining the Department of Housing’s mission, goals and director position description.

 

DISCUSSION:

The Salary Ordinance Amendment before your Board sets up the remaining Department of Housing staffing structure. The total position count for the Department of Housing is 16 and represents a decrease of one position. This position previously in the Office of Housing, will remain in HSA as this position is responsible for homeless services and is one of the service components retained by the Agency. While the Department of Housing includes the Housing Authority, these positions are not included in the Salary Ordinance Amendment as they are not County employees.

The necessary structural changes required within the budget system have been established and a complete Department of Housing budget, separate from the Human Services Agency, will be submitted as part of the FY 2005-06 Recommended Budget.

Full implementation of the Department of Housing is expected to occur in Spring 2005.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact associated with approving this Salary Ordinance Amendment.