HD63 - Local Department of Social Services Funding Requests for Renovating Existing Space, Relocating or Constructing New Space


Executive Summary:
This report contains a prioritized list of projects requiring funding in local departments. The report was developed as directed by the Act in an effort to more systematically evaluate funding requests made by local departments through their elected state representatives. The list was compiled using a data collection model developed by VDSS with support from the League Administrative Committee. The data collection tool was developed considering guidance provided in the Act, similar tools used by the Departments of Health and General Services, and input from VDSS and League core team members.

Clearly, a systematic approach to addressing space needs in local departments is greatly needed. Over the past decade, there have been six instances where funding was provided to a specific locality through General Assembly member amendments or other state budget means. There was also one case where a total of $1.8M in state and federal funds was appropriated to address local department space needs. In selected localities, local funds have been used to meet local departments' space needs.

The information contained in this report is prospective in nature. We were not asked nor have we attempted to make the case that past local investments in space should be reimbursed to a locality. In some cases, localities may argue that they are being penalized if they determined ways to solve local department space needs without state or federal assistance. Appendix F presents information from localities not directly addressed in the data collection process to allow them an opportunity to get their specific local experience on record.

This report prioritizes local space needs based on a set of quantative measures. Ratings of local department space were completed at the local level based on the model discussed previously. The raw data received were then normalized for scoring disparities and weighted based on criteria agreed to by VDSS and the League Administrative Committee.

The prioritized listing of local department space needs is presented at Appendix D. In general terms, local department space costs are covered by a mix of approximately 40 percent state, 40 percent federal and 20 percent local funds. The total cost of this recommendation would be approximately $2M including $800K in state general funds.

In addition, VDSS recommends that funding be considered in the amount of $1M to address the costs of space increases either absorbed previously at the expense of other administrative funding requirements or increases anticipated in the current year. These funds would be distributed to all local departments expressing needs in the data collection process. At the 40/40/20 ratio described above, state general funds of $400K would be needed to meet this requirement.