Board approves two‑year Maximus contract extension, directs plan to transition case management in‑house

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 24 approved a two‑year extension of the county’s contract with Maximus US Services Inc. for CalWORKs/Welfare‑to‑Work case management services and directed staff to develop a plan to transition the work in‑house.

The contract extension was the subject of extended debate. Several supervisors said they want the county to bring the services inside government operation, but they also expressed concern about staffing constraints during a hiring freeze and fiscal uncertainty. Supervisor Wagner urged caution and supported the two‑year extension to avoid disrupting services and allow time for hiring and planning; another supervisor said a shorter extension might be preferable to accelerate an in‑house transition.

Supervisor Katrina Foley moved the motion to approve the two‑year extension while directing staff to transition case management services in‑house within that period and to provide a one‑year progress report to the board. CEO Geary said staff will work on a strategic financial plan to evaluate feasibility and that, if circumstances allow, an early termination of the contract could be brought to the board.

Board members noted that roughly 42 employees would need to be transitioned and discussed training, equipment and location needs. The motion passed with a recorded outcome described in the meeting as "3 to 1 with one abstention." The board added a requirement for a one‑year progress update on transition planning.

What’s next: staff will develop and brief the board on a phase‑in plan and provide the one‑year progress report required by the Board.