Memorandum
Date: June 23, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of an Agreement with Matrix Consulting, Ltd., for Community Development Department Operational Review, Organizational Assessment, Development Fee and Cost Recovery Analysis in the Not-to-Exceed Amount of $133,640
Executive Summary:
The County of Lake issued RFP 261763 on March 13, 2026, inviting sealed proposals for professional consulting services to conduct an independent operational and fiscal review and organizational assessment of the County’s Community Development Department, as well as high-level review of potential integration of Housing and Economic Development functions currently housed in the County Administrative Office with the Community Development Department’s suite of programs.
In total, twelve firms submitted Proposals by the April 10 deadline. A Consultant Selection Committee comprised of multiple County Department heads, staff from Administration, and a public representative, was first convened Monday, April 13, and, by Consensus, decided to invite four firms for follow-up interviews. Three ultimately participated, with Interviews conducted Friday, April 17, 2026. Following this interview process, and review of work samples requested from the three participating firms, the Consultant Selection Panel established a rank order in which to pursue an Agreement.
County staff were ultimately unsuccessful in negotiating agreement with the initially-top-ranked candidate. While that firm’s Proposal was viewed favorably by the panel, in-depth Fee Analysis was presented as an optional service at an additional cost. Total cost, with comprehensive fee analysis included, markedly exceeded that of the 2nd and 3rd-ranked candidates.
Throughout the process and in their interview, Matrix Consulting Group, Ltd., demonstrated a strong balance of understanding of Community Development operations and capacity to deliver an effective fee analysis. Staff are therefore very pleased to present this Agreement, in the not-to-exceed amount of $133,640, for your Board’s consideration, and eager to commence work on this much-needed analysis. Aaron Baggarly of Matrix will be present to describe Matrix’s approach and expectations for the analysis, and respond to any questions from your Board.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!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: Approve the Agreement with Matrix Consulting, Ltd., for Community Development Department Operational Review, Organizational Assessment, Development Fee and Cost Recovery Analysis in the not-to-exceed amount of $133,640 and Authorize the Chair to Sign