HomeMy WebLinkAbout930961.tiff s ,*L_V�"
*18764
�1 r #tatr' of &lavabo
Gale A. Norton _ STATE SERVICES BUILDING
Attorney General DEPARTMENT OF LAW 1525 Sherman Street-5th Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203
Raymond T. Slaughter OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Phone (303)866-4500&866-3611
Chief Deputy Attorney General FAX (303)866-5691
Timothy M.Tymkovich
Solicitor General March 31, 1993
Constance L. Harbert
Chairman
Board of County Commissioners, County of Weld
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, Colorado 80632
RE: Social Services in Weld County
Dear Chairman Harbert :
This letter will confirm the agreement reached at a meeting
held on March 30, 1993 . You, other members of the Board of Coun-
ty Commissioners, other officials of Weld County, Acting Execu-
tive Director of the Colorado Department of Social Services Karen
Beye, Executive Director of the Office of State Planning and
Budget Karen Reinertson, other state officials and I were all
present at that meeting.
The agreement was prompted by the following series of
events . On January 4, 1993 , Weld County Commissioners gave
notice that it intended to reduce its contribution to social ser-
vices effective April 3 , 1993, pursuant to Section 20 ( 9) of Arti-
cle X of the Colorado Constitution. On March 1, 1993, Weld Coun-
ty was advised that the State Department of Social Services had
concluded that Section 20 ( 9) did not apply to social services.
On March 22, 1993 , Weld County advised the state that it still
intended to reduce its contribution to social services, effective
April 3 .
All participants at the meeting agreed that Weld County had
a legitimate concern regarding its obligation to fund social ser-
vices, and all participants agreed that every effort should be
made to address this concern without disrupting the delivery of
social services and public assistance in Weld County and without
creating needless turmoil among the employees of the County De-
partment of Social Services . In order to achieve these goals, we
agreed on the following points :
1. The State and Weld County will work together to enact
legislation that would cap county liability for
SSO 0/1
4\ 11 f/T i.f' 930961
I t;
h,/ /, , ,/1'i
Constance L. Harbert
Page 2
social services costs at the previous year ' s liabil-
ity adjusted by the net percentage increase allowed
by Section 20, Article X.
2 . Weld County will continue to operate and provide
funding for social services at current levels at
least until the end of the current session of the
General Assembly, May 12, 1993.
3 . Neither the State nor Weld County waives any claim or
defense it might have in any litigation arising from
this situation by entering into this agreement .
4. Neither the State nor Weld County will commence any
litigation regarding funding for social services be-
fore the end of the current session of the General
Assembly, May 12 , 1993.
5. Weld County will bill the State Department of Social
Services for the amounts paid after April 3, 1993 ,
that Weld County believes are in excess of the amount
it should have paid pursuant to the notice it gave on
January 4, 1993 . Weld County, however , will take no
action to collect these bills before the end of the
the current session of the General Assembly, May 12,
1993.
I believe that this agreement represents extraordinary
flexibility and good faith by all parties. I appreciate your
willingness to work together to resolve difficult problems.
incerely,
Ray d . Slaughter
Chief D uty Attorney General
RTS:mks
cc: Karen Beye
Constance L. Harbert
Page 3
AG Alpha No. SS AS GAGSD
AG File No. E9310580 .81
Hello