§ 189-49. Legislative intent.

A. 

This Legislature, hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk has historically utilized outside not-for-profit agencies to provide important services to veterans, seniors, young people, handicapped citizens and other residents who depend on programs funded by the County.

B. 

This Legislature further finds that many not-for-profit organizations are funded every year by the County of Suffolk and are often identified in the County operating budget as a line item to receive funding.

C. 

This Legislature also determines that, notwithstanding their inclusion in the Suffolk County operating budget, not-for-profit organizations are often unable to consummate a contract with the County for many months even though the terms and conditions of these agreements vary little from year to year. In the absence of a fully executed contract, these agencies are unable to receive payment for the services they render.

D. 

This Legislature also finds that this contracting lag places not-for-profit organizations in an unenviable position, where they incur salary and other expenses to deliver a service but must wait many months for reimbursement from the County because no contract is in place. As a result of these delays, some not-for-profit organizations must borrow money to continue services and thereby incur additional interest costs.

E. 

This Legislature further finds and determines that unnecessary delays in executing contracts and making payments to not-for-profit organizations may result in service interruptions and could ultimately discourage such organizations from doing business with the County.

F. 

Therefore, the purpose of this article is to address a longstanding problem and establish a prompt contracting policy for not-for-profit organizations that provide services to Suffolk County residents.