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KPMG review urges tighter financial oversight, more co-located services in San Luis Obispo County social services
Summary
A KPMG operational and financial review presented to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors recommends stronger program-level financial visibility, a standardized performance framework, and closer integration with partner agencies. Board members pressed staff on potential staffing and contract reductions and asked for an implementation plan and follow-up reporting.
KPMG consultants presented a wide-ranging operational and financial review of the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services, outlining 24 recommendations and roughly 85 action items to improve fiscal oversight, service integration and performance management.
The consultants, led by partner Bill Zizek, told the board the review included more than 40 department interviews and input from community stakeholders. "Several recommended action items are aimed at strengthening financial oversight and tracking," Zizek said, noting program-level reporting gaps and dispersed financial data across systems.
The report called for three core themes: program-level financial visibility and clarified contract-management roles; integrated, co-located service models and mobile navigation to reduce duplication; and a standardized performance-management framework across branches to measure caseloads, complexity and staff productivity.
Director of Social Services Devin Drake said the department has already begun strategic planning and will return with implementation details. "Our focus is on the implementation plan and accomplishing that," Drake said.
Board members pressed for specifics. Supervisor Moreno asked whether mobile units could replace some satellite offices and how staff would track cost-per-client metrics. Drake replied the department is working toward a mobile van but noted funding and equipment timelines are state-dependent. "Our hope is with HMIS data that we're starting to pull out and gather more information," he said.
Supervisor Gibson asked directly about the magnitude of potential staff and contract reductions suggested by the report, citing tables that estimate large position and contract savings. KPMG's presenters said their analysis showed potential opportunity areas but characterized many items as starting points for deeper study; Executive Office staff stressed implementation must avoid harming service delivery.
The board directed the Executive Office to translate the consultant recommendations into an implementation plan, with staff noting a tracker has been created and that the Executive Office will bring a recommendation to the board in July. County staff also said they would report progress on the plan to the board on a regular basis.
Next steps: the executive office will return with a more detailed implementation plan and resource request to support prioritized items; KPMG recommended quarterly or semiannual updates to the board on progress.
