Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 1
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the use of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to allow the Human Resources Department to launch an Employee Suggestion Program focused on generating and implementing ideas relating to cost saving measures, and operational efficiencies and improvements that benefit the organization and residents of San Mateo County.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 1 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 1 (Supervisor Jackie Speier) - San Mateo County Human Resources Department for the roll-out of an Employee Suggestion Program focused on generating and implementing ideas relating to cost savings, operational efficiencies, and improvements |
$50,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize the use of district-discretionary Measure K funds, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to provide for an Employee Suggestion Program in 2025 focused on generating and implementing ideas relating to cost saving measures, and operational efficiencies and improvements that benefit the organization and residents of San Mateo County. The program will be managed by the Human Resources Department (“Department”), and funds will be transferred to the Department as part of the September budget revisions.
While the County has an Employee Suggestion Program via the STARS Awards Innovation Summit held every other year, it is focused on County teams pitching ideas on new initiatives and programs. The revamped Employee Suggestion Program in 2025 will align with the spirit of ongoing innovation while improving operational efficiencies for the residents of San Mateo County. It will also promote the County’s culture of recognition and acknowledge that County employees are talented, mission-driven individuals committed to identifying solutions that improve people’s lives.
A preliminary outline of the program is as follows:
Focus on cost saving measures and operational efficiencies.
The Employee Suggestion Program will be open to all County employees. Suggestions must benefit the organization, its mission, or its internal processes. Suggestions must result in the County’s ability to better serve the community.
Suggestions must follow the guidelines to be developed by the Department, including a description of the current problem; proposed solution and rationale; estimated benefits or cost savings; potential impact on the County government’s efficiency and effectiveness; and implementation considerations (if known).
Prizes for top suggestions.
Employees may submit their suggestions via a new employee portal that will be open for a six-week period during the year. The top suggestions, as selected by a panel, would then be nominated for a cash prize based on pre-defined criteria to be established by the Department and the feasibility of implementation. Categories will include individual suggestions as well as team suggestions. Each team will have no more than four members. Each individual winner will receive a maximum cash prize of $500. The highest scoring suggestions may also receive an initial start-up grant award up to $10,000 for the respective County department/program to implement suggestions.
Below is the proposed timeline:
|
Description |
Timeline |
|
Launch Employee Suggestion Program |
Summer/Fall 2025 |
|
Rating/Evaluation Process |
Fall/Winter 2025 |
|
Board of Supervisors Recognizes Employee Suggestion Award Recipients |
Fall/Winter 2025 |
|
Implementation of Suggestions |
Spring/Summer 2026 |
By approving this funding, the Board of Supervisors demonstrates its commitment to recognizing County employees for their dedication, innovation, and institutional knowledge, while improving operational efficiencies and outcomes for the residents of San Mateo County.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Number of suggestions submitted totals 50 or greater |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2024-25 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget. Unspent funds from the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget related to this project will be rolled forward and transferred to the Human Resources Department during the September Revisions process and included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.