MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

This Memorandum of Understanding between the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services [hereinafter referred to as SRS]; Douglas County, Kansas, [hereinafter referred to as County] and the City of Lawrence, Kansas [hereinafter referred to as City] is prepared to memorialize a proposal to reach an agreement among the Parties to avoid the closure of the Lawrence SRS Office.  The terms of the agreement, each having an independent and dispositive significance, are as follows:

1.  The County will seek approval of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners to secure funding  to contribute $112,500.00 in 2012 and 2013 to SRS in order for SRS to meet their State General Fund funding agreement.

2.  The City will seek approval of the Lawrence City Commission to secure funding  to contribute $112,500.00 in 2012 and 2013 to SRS in order for SRS to meet their State General Fund funding agreement.

3.  The payments set forth above by County and City to SRS will occur in 2012 and 2013 in accordance with a payment schedule to be determined in the formal agreement document.

4.  In consideration for and contingent upon this funding assistance from County and City during both years, SRS agrees to keep the Lawrence SRS office open and operating at substantially the same level of current service through September, 2013.

5.  SRS further expresses its preference to keep the Lawrence SRS open after September, 2013, and will, if the financial condition of the State of Kansas allows, make a good faith effort to seek adequate funding in subsequent fiscal years for that purpose.

6.  All parties understand and agree that if, during the term of any agreement reached that is wholly consistent with and is a result of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Kansas Legislature acts to alleviate the need for local funding to keep the Lawrence SRS open, the County and City are immediately released from any further financial obligations to SRS under the terms of the agreement.  Similarly, SRS will be immediately released from any further financial obligations if City or County fail to abide by any term of the agreement.

7.  All Parties agree and acknowledge that final agreement on terms set forth in this Memorandum of Understanding is contingent upon approval by a majority of the members of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners and the Lawrence City Commission following a public hearing.  In the event such approval is obtained, a formal agreement document will be prepared and executed by the Parties to the agreement.