TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and possibly take action to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Maricopa and Pinal County for the management and control of the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
In an effort to further expand services to victims in the City of Maricopa this IGA turns over management and control of the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office (PCAO) on July 1, 2021.
The PCAO is committed to continue to offer the same services to residents throughout the region utilizing their expertise gained through their management of two additional centers. Transitioning to a county run facility has been the plan since the Maricopa FAC was approved in June of 2017. The leadership of both organizations agree the time to transition is now. Under its current model, the Maricopa FAC is a police agency ran center. Under this model, social service agencies tend to use the center only in the case of perceived criminal conduct. Under PCAO’s model, they regularly work collaboratively with social services agencies such as Department of Child Safety (DCS). A transition to the PCAO model is anticipated to result in a significant uptick in DCS related investigations and interviews.
The PCAO will continue to offer services out of the same facility through no later than September 30, 2022 while they renovate one of their current buildings in Maricopa to be able to adequately house the FAC. The City will pay for the lease and utilities, until FAC moves to a new facility, and the salary and benefits for one victim advocate for one year. The total cost is not expected to exceed $175,000.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Maricopa and the Pinal County for the management and control of the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center.