To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: Dispute Resolution Program Contracts with Center for Human Development and Congress of Neutrals
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, or designee, to execute contracts with Center for Human Development and The Congress of Neutrals in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 to provide mediation services under the County Dispute Resolution Program for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The aggregate cost of the programs contracts is $250,000. 100% Restricted Dispute Resolution funds. No net County cost. Program costs are offset by the $8.00 court filing fee on civil actions filed in the Superior Court.
Contract with Center for Human Development: $85,000
Contract with the Congress of Neutrals: $165,000
BACKGROUND:
The Dispute Resolution Programs Act of 1986 (Business and Professional Code Sections 465, et seq.) provided for the establishment and funding, at County option, of local dispute resolution services as an alternative to formal court proceedings. The Act authorized participating counties to increase Superior, Municipal and Justice Courts filing fees from one to three dollars for the purpose of funding local dispute resolution programs.
On January 1, 1987, the Board approved the County's participation in the program and authorized a three dollar increase in court filing fees. The Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee was created by the Board to consider implementation strategies and funding guidelines appropriate for Contra Costa County.
From 1989 through 1998, the Advisory Committee solicited proposals for funding under the Dispute Resolution Programs Act of 1986. The purpose of the funding is to encourage the establishment and use of local dispute resolution services as an alternative to formal Court
proceedings. The program operates under...
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