COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Counsel

 

DATE:

April 4, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 10, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Thomas F. Casey III, County Counsel

SUBJECT:

Housing Relocation Assistance Loan for Pharmacy Director

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing a housing relocation assistance loan in the amount of $200,000 for Mr. Gary Horne, who has recently accepted employment as the Clinical Services Manager – Pharmacy (Pharmacy Director).

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All.

Goal 5: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care.

 

BACKGROUND:

For many years, the San Mateo Medical Center (“SMMC”) has been unable to fill the position of Pharmacy Director. Consequently, SMMC was required to retain the services of various consultant agencies, which are quite expensive, in order to secure the services that a Pharmacy Director would otherwise provide. Recently, Mr. Gary Horne, a licensed pharmacist who has provided pharmacy director services for several months at SMMC and who currently resides in Nevada, expressed an interest in assuming the Pharmacy Director position as a County employee. However, he was only prepared to accept the position if the County offered financial assistance with the purchase of a home in the area. This office coordinated with the SMMC and the Human Resources Director and it was determined that Mr. Horne should be offered an interest-free housing relocation assistance loan of $200,000 that he can use in order to purchase a home in the area. The loan would be secured by a straight note and deed of trust against the purchased property and the loan would be repayable upon re-sale of the property or within 60 days after Mr. Horne leaves his employment with the County.

 

DISCUSSION:

Mr. Horne has identified a property that he wishes to purchase and he has requested that the County provide him with the above-described housing relocation assistance loan of $200,000. As noted, the loan would be interest free and would be repaid upon sale of the residence purchased with the loan proceeds or within sixty days after Mr. Horne leaves his employment with the County. This office has examined the promissory note and deed of trust and they are in order. The disbursement of any proceeds authorized by this Board’s action would be contingent on issuance of acceptable title insurance and receipt of a satisfactory appraisal.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The funds for this housing relocation assistance loan will be provided out of the current fiscal year's General Fund subsidy to the Medical Center. There is no additional impact on the General Fund.