Memorandum
Date: August 4, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Jenavive Herrington, Auditor-Controller/Clerk
Subject: Consideration of (a) Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement between the County of Lake and Avero, LLC DBA Avero Advisors in the amount of $16,000 for ERP Implementation; and (b) Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Services Agreement between the County of Lake and Avero, LLC DBA Avero Advisors in the amount of $93,925 for ERP Implementation
Executive Summary:
In March of 2024, the Board approved an agreement between the Auditor-Controller Office (A-C Office) and Avero Advisors. During the subsequent budget hearings, the board approved appropriations of $300,000 for the Avero contract as an extraordinary request. As the Board is aware, the A-C Office is heading the Countywide Enterprise Resource Planning/Human Capital Management (ERP/HCM) update. The county’s current software has not been replaced in 25 years.
We contracted with Avero Advisors to provide needs assessment, request for proposal, and implementation support. The original contract delineates these tasks in three phases. We have completed Phase 1: ERP Needs Assessment of the County and Phase 2: Request for Proposal Development Assistance and Selection Assistance. We are currently in Phase 3: Implementation Project Management Services.
Avero Advisors provided services for Phase 1 and Phase 2 for a total cost of $159,711. We came under budget on Phase 1 and Phase 2, and we used those cost savings to get started on Phase 3. While the original contract listed Phase 3 tasks such as system configuration & integration oversight, system testing oversight, and end-user training, the original contract did not provide a cost breakout for Phase 3 because Avero Advisor’s costs were dependent on the ERP/HCM software chosen. Phase 3 is the longest phase, and it includes implementation, go-live, and post go-live support.
In May 2026, there were challenges surrounding payroll data validation, as extensive Excel work needed to be done. The A-C Office does have the skillset needed but could not/cannot keep up with the volume and deadlines. Attached is Amendment #3, for $16,000, which was meant to assist specifically with spreadsheet validation work, that required a specialist level knowledge. While Amendment #3 was under review, the county made the decision to extend the go-live date from 7/1/26 to 10/1/2026. This decision results in the need for a minimum of three additional months of coverage, which is covered in Amendment #4. This brings the total not to exceed amount, covering March 2024-November 2026, to $634,925.
While the A-C Office has made all efforts to educate themselves on ERP/HCM implementation best practices, we do not have the staffing necessary to complete this project without the use of consultants. We also do not have the resources for the change management team generally required for a project of this magnitude. This is a multi-year but temporary project, so additional staff allocation isn’t prudent. However, additional support and expertise is needed to ensure successful implementation.
The County is making a large investment in the business process efficiencies, security, and transparency that the new software will facilitate, and the A-C Office wants to honor that investment by ensuring that the implementation is managed properly and that departments’ needs are incorporated into the new ERP/HCM system.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!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: (a) Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement between the County of Lake and Avero, LLC DBA Avero Advisors in the amount of $16,000 for ERP Implementation and authorize the Chair to sign; and (b) Approve Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Services Agreement between the County of Lake and Avero, LLC DBA Avero Advisors in the amount of $93,925 for ERP Implementation and authorize the Chair to sign.