Memorandum
Date: May 13, 2025
To: The Honorable Eddie Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Stephen L. Carter, Jr., Assistant County Administrative Officer
Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Rachael Dillman Parsons, Social Services Director
Subject: 9:30 A.M. - Consideration of a Health and Human Services-Focused Federal Legislative Update
Executive Summary:
As your Board is aware, Paragon Government Relations has served as the County of Lake’s Federal Advocacy Firm since January 2025. In addition to work with the County of Lake, Paragon partners with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and California Welfare Directors Association (CWDA), for example; their trusted support in Washington, DC, is highly beneficial for our County.
Further, members of your Board have expressed considerable concern surrounding staffing reductions and proposed further cuts to Health and Human Services and Safety Net programs.
Rachel Mackey of Paragon will be present, via Zoom, to present a Health and Human Services- (HHS-) focused Federal Legislative Update. Elements of this update are expected to include:
• The Federal Budget Reconciliation Process;
• President Trump’s initial discretionary spending proposal (“Skinny budget”);
• Funding Freezes/HHS Reorganization; and
• Questions and Answers from your Board.
Additionally, our Social Services Director, Rachael Dillman Parsons, will be present to provide local context.
Many thanks to Ms. Mackey and Director Dillman Parsons for their work to prepare this update.
No action is requested of your Board in connection to this item, but you may consider providing Direction to Staff, as appropriate.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Informational report, only. Consider Direction to Staff, as appropriate.