Kaplan’s Return Needs 2nd Look

Who was the most senior official sent packing after Ventura County’s reorganization of its mental health services turned out to be a $15-million disaster?

Stephen G. Kaplan.

And seven months later, who has Ventura County selected to help set up a commission to distribute nearly $12 million a year in tobacco tax revenues?

Stephen G. Kaplan.

A contract for the $80,000 consulting job was awarded Friday to the former mental health chief, who resigned in the aftershocks of the county’s failed attempt to merge its social services and mental health agencies. Critics said he failed to adequately research potential pitfalls of the action and convey them to the Board of Supervisors. The county has been ordered to repay $15.3 million it illegally billed to Medicare under the merger plan and could face millions more as other audits and investigations conclude.

Like everything associated with the merger, Kaplan’s departure was steeped in politics. Nonetheless, his speedy return to a position of public trust warrants a close look.

Ventura County is forming a Children and Families Commission to oversee local spending of funds generated by voter-approved Proposition 10, which adds a 50-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes. The ballot initiative is expected to raise about $690 million a year, to be divided among California’s counties. The money must be spent on programs serving young children. Ventura County’s share is about $11.7 million.

The initiative created a statewide commission to set policy, but leaves most spending decisions to local commissions.

Supervisor Kathy Long, who is leading the formation of Ventura County’s commission, said Kaplan will be paid with part of the $147,000 in planning dollars that the county has already received from the state. The consultant will use the rest of that money to hire other contractors to hold focus groups and town hall meetings to determine the best way for Proposition 10 dollars to be distributed.

Kaplan has been doing consulting work for government agencies since resigning under fire in March. His return to the public payroll is likely to reopen wounds that are barely beginning to heal, and to fuel public suspicions that county officials are overly concerned with taking care of their own.