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I <br />Several years ago, the Orange County Board of Commissioners studied the feasibility of <br />providing legal counsel for these services through a DSS staff attorney. At that time, the Board <br />indicated the desire to continue contracted services for as long as Ms. Holcomb provided these <br />services. Ms. Holcomb has indicated that she may retire from this practice in about three years, <br />but would give sufficient notice to allow for the hiring and training of a staff attorney as well as <br />work through a transition period to assure continuity of legal consultation to child welfare and <br />adult services cases. <br />During the upcoming year, DSS staff and the County Attorney will meet with Ms. Holcomb to <br />determine the timeframe for transition of legal services from a contractual arrangement to <br />agency counsel. This will allow adequate time to analyze all services being provided, create in- <br />house resources, begin the training process and develop a transition plan. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Social Services estimates $165,000 will be spent on legal fees during FY <br />2013 -2014. The costs are the same as last year's budgeted amount for legal services. <br />Approximately half of this cost will be paid by State and Federal revenues. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: <br />1) Accept the Social Services Board recommendation and approve the contract for legal <br />representation with Holcomb and Cabe, L.L.P., for Fiscal Year 2013 -2014; <br />2) Authorize the Manager to sign the contract contingent upon approval of the Orange <br />County FY 2013 -14 budget; and <br />3) Authorize the Manager to sign any future agreements or amendments to this contract <br />subject to County Attorney review. <br />