Minutes 02-09-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Frank Clifton said that he distributed a summary of what he could find in various minutes of the Board of County Commissioners and various boards about the dual service model. He said that there are varying definitions of "dual service model." In one instance it means to locate dual services under one roof versus having the same services at each end of the County. He said that there is a large contingency of citizens that use basic human services and a large contingency that use a lot of other County services. He said that the basic cost models are impacted when services are duplicated at each end of the County if the two facilities are open at the same time. His concern is that any service delivered should be delivered at the best quality level. He asked the County Commissioners what they thought the dual service model meant and what types of services they would like to focus on. Commissioner Gordon said that she thought it meant locating the same services at both ends of the County. The situation is that the population centroid is in the southern end of the County, but the geographic centroid is in Hillsborough. The County has stayed with the dual service model so that human services are more accessible to everyone in the County. Commissioner Hemminger said that she understands the cost savings, but it is really about the time and energy and the clientele that need to use the services. She said that the services need to be more efficient to give the citizens the best service possible. Some citizens do not have cars and need to use buses to get to the health department, etc. She understands that this is not cost-effective. Frank Clifton said that he is not proposing eliminating dual services but the issue is from a cost standpoint and what services have multiple locations. He said that the County Commissioners should not ask the staff to compare the costs of delivery to other counties, because Orange County is different. Commissioner Jacobs said that he agrees with Commissioners Hemminger and Gordon in that it is a geographic duality. He also thinks that the Manager's point is a good one and that there can be some kind of priority order. Commissioner Yuhasz said that the critical question is the level of service that is going to be provided and whether it will be provided at multiple locations. Commissioner Pelissier suggested looking at who the clients are and where they come from. She would also like to talk about the issue of building permits and the clients. Commissioner Nelson said that for him this is just about providing services close to where people live. He said that the people who need the services that are being discussed are often the people that have the hardest time getting to the services. He views this as protecting northern Orange County as much as anything else. He thinks it is important to come back to what this is about— people and delivering services to where the people are. Frank Clifton said that he could work with DSS, Health, and the Department on Aging and take a look at the client's zip codes that use the services. Commissioner Nelson said that he does not want to forget about the possibility of a mobile dental clinic. Discussion ensued about the dental clinics. Commissioner Yuhasz said that his concern is that when they look at these models that they need to look at them in totality, and not just one piece of the service. Chair Foushee said that it might be helpful if staff could bring back a number of service delivery models with costs attached. Commissioner Jacobs agreed. He said that the human services transportation was meant to take people who could not otherwise get to the human service. He suggested factoring in a growth projection regarding the population in Orange County. Frank Clifton said that he would like to narrow this down to a couple of services. He wants to provide services at the highest quality.