Council hears staff explanation of proposed intergovernmental agreement for Equifax verification services
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Summary
Council members asked about a proposed third amendment to an intergovernmental agreement with the Colorado Department of Human Services to access Equifax's "The Work Number" employment and income verification service; staff said the city pays based on usage and is billed through a state reconciliation process.
Denver City Council heard questions Aug. 18 about a proposed third amendment to an intergovernmental agreement with the Colorado Department of Human Services that would allow city agencies continued access to Equifax's employment- and income-verification service, commonly known as "The Work Number." Denver Human Services staff told council the city contracts through the state agreement and that charges are driven primarily by the number of verification orders placed.
Why it matters: many city social-service and benefit programs require timely employment and income verification; a centralized contract can reduce duplication of procurement and streamline verification across agencies.
Wilf (Denver Human Services) explained the city uses both batch and one-off verification methods: batch uploads for many cases and an online tool for ad hoc checks. The department said pricing is therefore tied to usage and the volume of verification orders. Department of Finance staff Carolina Flores confirmed that each agency manages work plans and coordinates with general services on procurement so that the amount purchased aligns with expected service delivery and staffing.
Councilmember Lewis asked whether the current layoffs would reduce usage; staff said they did not expect immediate usage reductions despite workforce changes. Council also asked about the state's reconciliation/billing process; staff explained that the state is billed and then bills counties and the city as appropriate under the intergovernmental arrangement.
What council did and did not do: the item was before council as a bill for introduction and staff answered members'questions; no final action or appropriation was taken at the Aug. 18 meeting.
Outlook: staff said they will continue to administer the contract through the state's agreement and monitor usage; council members asked for clarity on staffing and usage impacts as budget and workforce changes evolve.