COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Employee and Public Services

 

DATE:

October 24, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 8, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Mary Welch, Employee and Public Services Director

Casey Echarte, Employee Relations Manager

SUBJECT:

Agreement with IEDA

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve a resolution waiving the Request for Proposal process and authorizing the President of the Board to execute an amendment to the Agreement with IEDA for continued provision of labor relations services for a three (3) year period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, with the option of two (2) one-year extensions.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government

Goal# 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

 

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Number of contracts negotiated

2

6

Percent of contracts negotiated within established timeframes

100%

85%

 

BACKGROUND:

IEDA has provided labor relations services for the County since 1973. In February 2000 a Request for Information (RFI) was conducted which enabled the Employee and Public Services Department to analyze the services and costs for other labor relations firms in California. We found IEDA's rates to be lower than any other firm we interviewed. In addition, their services were more comprehensive. For instance, IEDA was the only firm who provided, for no additional fee, consultation services after contracts were negotiated.

On October 3, 2000 the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors authorized the President of the Board to execute an agreement with IEDA to provide labor relations and consultation services for the period January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2003, with automatic extensions to the agreement in one-year increments through December 31, 2005, with compensation to be established at the time of each extension.

 

DISCUSSION:

We are recommending that this agreement be amended to provide for payment for three years, from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, with the option of two (2) one-year extensions. IEDA is being recommended for continuation without a formal request for proposal process because:

    1. IEDA's years of experience bargaining in San Mateo County give them a full understanding of bargaining history in our County. This provides an invaluable perspective, enabling us to evaluate and respond to Union proposals in a prompt, knowledgeable and comprehensive manner.

    2. IEDA represents many Bay Area counties and cities as well as private sector firms. This provides information on settlements in other jurisdictions and allows us to anticipate and prepare responses to Union proposals.

    3. IEDA's fee structure is the lowest we have found.

    4. IEDA's performance has been highly satisfactory. Negotiations are conducted in a professional manner, resulting in timely agreements that meet the needs of both the County and its employees.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of services by IEDA for this contract amendment will not exceed $339,000.00 for services through 2008, thereby increasing the maximum amount of the contract from $475,000.00 to $814,000.00, with the amount of services for the later years to be added if the options are exercised to extend the contract. This cost includes an approximately 3% rate increase per year from the current annual cost of $104,518.00 and coverage for a potential increase in the number of employees factored into the cost basis. Funds are included in the Employee and Public Services budget as adopted by the Board on September 27, 2005.