Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Marc Meulman, Deputy Director, San Mateo County Health
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Browne Inc., for the San Mateo County Health Website Development Project.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Browne Inc., for the San Mateo County Health Website Development Project, for the term of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026, increasing the amount by $24,500 to an amount not to exceed $222,200.
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BACKGROUND:
The County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic raised the profile of County Health’s website considerably, as members of the public and the media sought data on cases and deaths, times and locations of vaccination clinics and testing facilities, information about stay-at-home and masking orders from the Health Officer, how regular Health programs and facilities were affected, and the evolving steps residents could take to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The project with Browne, Inc. develops a new County Health public-facing website, focused on service delivery to clients, patients, and the public, with state-of-the-art tools for accessibility and language access. It allows for better presentation of data, performance metrics and other measures for accountability and transparency. And it streamlines and focuses years of accumulated information about County Health’s many programs and services in language that is easy to read and understand.
On February 6, 2023, San Mateo County Health released a Request for Proposals to seek an experienced firm to develop a new website, and Browne Inc. was awarded the contract.
On July 1, 2023, the Deputy Director of Health entered into a contract with Browne Inc., to implement the San Mateo County Health Website Development Project for the term of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $197,700.
DISCUSSION:
County Health is committed to developing its public-facing website as an innovative and useful online resource. The website increases the visibility of County Health’s programs and public information, as well as improves access for residents. With Browne’s help, the new site will provide gateways to self-service portals for clients to request information, pay permitting fees and register complaints. It will also work in tandem with the new Epic electronic health record that will allow clients to manage their health care information and appointments.
The requested additional funds support Browne, Inc.’s expanded role in the management of the website content migration to allow County Health communications staff more flexibility in balancing the needs of the website development project with daily responsibilities.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that the new website development and content management will increase the ability to achieve our existing measure of 44,000 visitors, a 10% increase in website visitors.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
Measure |
FY 2024-2025 Estimated |
FY 2025-2026 Projected |
Increase website visitors. |
40,000 visitors per month |
44,000 visitors per month |
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT:
The development of a new public-facing website for County Health will positively impact all residents and increase equitable access because it makes County Health’s information, resources, and health care services more visible and more accessible, regardless of residents’ language needs or technology.
The development of the site is based on years of feedback from community members to program staff and to the County Health Communications team, as well as the experiences of staff in mobilizing online resources to support service delivery.
Staff continue to monitor how the site is used and how technology can better support equitable language access and promote access to County Health resources and programs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the amended agreement is July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026. This amendment increases the contract amount by $24,500 to an amount not to exceed $222,200 for the full term of the agreement. Of the amended amount, $24,500 is included in the PHPP FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget; similar arrangements will be made for future years. The amended amount is 100% funded by Net County Cost.