Jefferson County moves to renew Equifax income‑verification contract amid sharp price increases

Jefferson County Human Services on June 24 briefed the Board of County Commissioners on a contract amendment to renew income‑verification services with Equifax, the vendor that operates the Work Number, and asked the board to advance the item to a future hearing and delegate contract signature authority to the human services director.

The briefing said the contract amendment lists a maximum amount of $679,000 for the one‑year renewal beginning July 1 but noted a requested signatory authority of $808,000 “just in case” usage exceeds projections. Staff also warned that per‑verification fees can spike to $19.50 “per hit” if use goes beyond negotiated volumes.

County community assistance director Chelsea Antonucci said the service is used across eligibility and child‑support work and in program integrity and child welfare. She told the board that state negotiations set the base rates and that the county participates as a local partner. Antonucci said the county has seen significant price increases and used the phrase “price gouging” to describe the rise in fees.

Staff provided examples of recent fee changes, saying the per‑verification rate for the state rose from about $6.65 in state fiscal year 2022–23 to $11.99 for the next contract year after negotiation. Commissioners were told the county does not expect to exceed the stated contract amount under normal use but sought the higher signatory authority to avoid an interruption in services if demand rises.

Commissioners asked about federal policy changes that could increase re‑certifications for SNAP and Medicaid. Antonucci said the county pays for Work Number access through the CBMS interface with HCPCF funding (50% state, 50% federal) and that utilization could increase under twice‑annual recertification schedules, which is why staff requested the higher not‑to‑exceed authority.

The briefing said staff are exploring other vendors but that none have the same level of access as Equifax. Commissioners discussed tracking costs and, if price increases continue, launching a possible complaint with the attorney general.

When asked for a vote to move the item forward to a hearing and to delegate signature authority to the human services director, the board indicated unanimous support to advance the contract amendment for formal consideration.

Chelsea Antonucci, Community Assistance Director, said the county “does not anticipate going above that $679,000 for the contract,” but added the $808,000 signatory request was a precaution. Jesse (staff) supplied contract‑year fee comparisons and usage data during the briefing.

The county did not finalize the renewal at the briefing; staff asked the board to authorize moving the item to a future public hearing and to delegate signing authority if the hearing outcome requires it.