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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19770510~~~ MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 10, 1977 The Orange County Beard of Commissioners met jointly with the Orange County Social Services Board on Tuesday, May 10, 1977, at 6:3D p.m., at the Colonial Inn in Hillsborough to discuss the Social Services budget for 1977-1978. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustavesan, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker, and Donald Willhoit. Members of the Social Services Board present were Mae McLendon, Joanne Carl, John Ulmer, and Commissioner Walker. Others present were~S. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans, County Finance Officer, Tom Ward, Social Services Director, and Agatha Johnson Clerk. The Chairman stated that a month ago, the Social Services Director presented a tentative budget to the Commissioners for their approval in order to meet an .April 15, 1977 deadline. Now the Board of Commissioners must review and approve a final budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The Finance Director, Neal Evans, presented to the two Hoards budget information for the Social Services Department. He stated that the total budget was broken down into thirteen different programs including adminis- tration. The Social Services Director and the Finance Officer proceeded to review the proposed budget with the Boards. The first area of the Social Services Budget was DSS Administration. _ The objectives set out for 1977-78 are: (1) To continue overall super- vision of all agency programs to assure that operational cost of such programs remain within amounts in County approved budget. (2) To co- ordinate operation of all programs of most efficient delivery of services to clients. The total administration budget proposed for 1977-78 is $142,428. The program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children was reviewed. Objectives set forth for 1977-78 are: (1) To increase average number of AFDC persons served per month from 995 to 1025, due to continued growth patterns of program. (2) To increase average numbex of AFDC-FC persons served per month from 20 to 25. (3) To increase average AFDC monthly pay- ment from $58.50 to $59.00. (4) To increase average AFDC-FC monthly pay- : ment from $104 to $110. The proposed budget for this program for 1977-78 is $788,630. Commissioner Pinney questioned the increase of 75 AFDC recipients for the year. Mr. Ward stated that the AFDG level of appropriations is increased due to inflation. Applications and average costs have increased signifi- cantly in the past six months. The AFDC-FC increase is due to anticipated expanded eligibility regulations. The Finance Director stated that the 1025 number of AFDC recipients was arrived at in hopes that the State would approve this figure and then be in the position tc provide additional funding. - Mr. Ward read guidelines for budgeting of AFDC. He stated, "During fiscal year 1975-76, the total AFDC caseload showed a slight average monthly increase, however, during the calendar year of 1976, the average monthly increase was 633 recipients state-wide. The sufficient difference in the average monthly increase for the two separate twelve month periods was the result of the large increase of the number of AFDC recipients during the last six months of 1976. The average monthly increase during this period was 1668 against 633 for the preceding six months. The State-wide reci- pient account reached a low of 187,482 in July, 1975, however, by December of 1976, it had reached over 200,000. The average monthly AFDC recipients increased during the fiscal year 1975-76 was 145 recipients and calendar ~~8 year 1976, month average increased 176. During the last six months of 1976, it increased 1658 per month." Commissioner Willhoit stated that perhaps categorical grants in Orange County will work since there had been about a two percent in- crease in AFDC recipients. He stated that Orange County would have to live with the Title XX formula and that we needed to get some type of evaluation of Title XX from around the State and some type of correlation between Title XX, AFDC funding and the categorical grants. He added that if the categorical grants are not effective then the County should not put money into these programs. Discussion ensued. Mr. Ward informed the Board that of the proposed _, $788,630, 44 percent would be local county monies. No Title XX monies is used for salaries. If Title xX is phased down more people will go on AFDC. AFDC is under Title IV'A. -.... Special Assistance for Adults (SAA) Program was reviewed. This pro- grams provides financial assistance to disabled and elderly adults who have been placed in rest homes. 55A providee. a supplement to their income. Number eligible has increased from 53 to 60 this budget year. The Chore Service will enable some persons to remain in their own homes who would otherwise have to be placed in domiciliary care. The objectives for 1977-78 are: (1) To increase monthly average number receiving Special Assistance to Adults form 60 to 65. (2) To increase aver- age monthly payment from $151,50 to $155.00. The proposed 1977-78 budget for this program is $124,803. Mr. Ward stated that this program has a 50/50 State/County match. He added that he felt this proposed budget for SSA would be sent back from the Slate as being underbudgeted. Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Program. The Objectives for 1977'7$ are: (1) To increase average cases per month receiving Medical Assistance from 433 to 460, due to continued growth pattern of program. The Finance Director stated that Medicaid records were not up-to-date and he was unsure o~ what had been spent to this point, since the State's --- computers. were not working. He stated that the County would pay about 5 percent, making the County's total $96,585. Mr. Evans stated that if the State does not approve this budget, he would guess that between $20,000 and $40,000 local monies would have to be added to the budget. Aid to Blind Program. The Objectives for 1977-78 is to provide Aid to Blind services to 30 individuals in Orange County. The proposed budget is $4,373, which is the County's cost. Children's Services. The objectives for 1977'78 are: (1) to provide protective services for increasing caseload from 35 per worker currently to 40 per worker expected for 77-78. (2) To decrease number of foster care placements from 40 per year to 36 per year. (3) To increase suppor- tive services through school systems from 5 to 7 contacts per month, counsel- ing with parents, teachers, and children. (4) To increase consultations with clients and/or children from average of 2 personal visits per month to 3 personal visits per month per client. Mr. Ward explained that one additional Social Worker I1 had been requested far the Youth Services Needs Program. The Children's Services Program is funded under the Title XX formula. He added that the emphasis is moving to wox'king with a child in his own home instead of moving him into a foster home. -. Adoptions Program - The objectives for 1977-78 are: (1) To maintain current number of home studies at 22 per year. (2) To increase yearly number of agency placements from 15 to 20. (3) To increase yearly number of relative placements from 32 to 35. This program has been badly affected by the Title XX cutback. Daycare Program - The objectives are to increase the number of children for which day care is purchased from 125 to 150. To increase average month- ly payment per child per day care from $100 to $111. ~~~ The Social Worker II for the Frank Porter Graham School comes from the County's Title XX allocation, however, Frank Porter Graham provides the local match. Tt is hoped that the State will take over the Frank Porter Graham Contract for the coming year. Foster Care (Title XX & AFDC) - Objectives for 1977-78 are to provide personnel support for foster care licensing programs. Liason with xoster parents organization. (1) To maintain number of licensed foster homes at 65 and provide necessary re-licensing assistance. (2) To decrease monthly average of children in foster care from 55 to 45. (3) To increase foster care payments according of age. Mr. Ward stated that his Department was hoping to get reimbursement this year for roam and board at 50 percent up to $150 per month. The - Department is presently receiving reimbursement up to $100 per month. A new program in the planning stage is specialized foster homes. These foster parents need training to keep children with special needs. Adult Services (XX)'Chore Payments - The objectives for 1977-78 are t h~ addition of a new Social Worker 2 is primary program objective to reduce caseload to more manageable proportions. Additional Homemaker i in supportive services unit will also assist adult services more than in the past. Other objectives are: (1)'To maintain provision of Chore Services to 90 persons. (2) To increase average monthly payment per person for provision of Chore Services from $150 to $200. (3) To prevent insti- tutionalization of 75 individuals thru provision of Ghore Sezvice. (4) To increase number of persons receiving Adult Services per year from 360 to 375. (5) To initiate purchase of transportation services for 10 adults at Sheltered Workshop and of Adult Daycare Services for four adults at the Life Enrichment Center. (6) To reduce average caseload per worker from 92 to 74 thru addition of new Social Worker 2 position. (7) To provide protective services for an increasing caseload (from 150 to 200 clients per year). (8) To maintain number of Licensed Rest Homes at 10. Mr. ward stated that .there were more rest homes in Orange County than in any other county in the State. The majority of the residents of these homes are not Orange Gounty residents. Payments are provided by the other counties, however, Orange County does provide the staff for these people. He added that the Chore payments would .be underspent this year. - WIN Program (Administration) - Objectives for 1977-78 are: (1) To increase the yearly number of Work incentive active cases from 80 tc 90. (2) To increase number of WIN Registrations from 180 per year to 200 per year. (3) To increase number of persons placed in employment from 50 to 55. (4) To increase number of persons placed in training programs from 27 to 32. This program is designed to help AFDC clients to become self supporting. This year's estimate is 27 persons in training and 50 persons in employment. Food Stamp Program (Non Public Assistance) - Objectives are to provide ... eligibility determination and certify an average of 660 families per month. Schedule 692 applications per month. Make 65 home visits per month to minimum purchase level applicants. (interviewing and application comple- tion time has increased from one hour to one and one-fourth hours per case. Supportive Services - Objectives for 1977-78 are: (1) To provide transportation services to increasing number of clients (from 80 pex month to 120 per month). (2) To increase number of children receiving medical screening from 12 per month to 50 per month. (3) To increase number of families receiving Homemaker services from 8 per month to 12 per month. Mr. Ward stated that ,.personnnel who provided transportation to clients used their awn vehicles and with the increase in the cost of gasoline, he wondered if 15G per mile was covering the cost of using these private -- - vehicles . Discussion ensued regarding the coordination of county owned vehicles --- far county agencies as long term planning. General Assistance - Objectives for 1977-78 is to expand this General Assistance Programs. Mr. Ward .stated that due to the input of the Inter- Church Council, this program had increased. The County's part will be $24,000 for fiscal year 1977-78 for this program. Mr. Ward stated that guidelines needed to be implemented for this program and would have to be discussed with the County Commissioners. He added that he hoped guidelines would be agreeable to all with the least possible problems. Monies for this program is all county monies. 2~~ The Finance Director stated that the total amount of County monies for the Social Services budget amounted to $665, 145. He stated that the increase this year over last year was very little. The meeting was adjourned. ~~~~~ -- Richard E. Whiffed, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 11, 1977 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, May 11, 1977, at 7:30 p.m., to continue budget hearings far fiscal year 1977-78. The meeting convened in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough. Present were Chairman Richard whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Administrator, Neal Evans, Finance Officer, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Chairman Whitted stated that the first Department the Board would hear from was the Hyconeechee Regional Library. He recognixed A. T. Davison, Chairman of the Hyconeechee Library Board. Others from the Hyconeechee Library Board present were Lloyd Osterman, and Cecil Sanford. Mr. Davison informed the Board that the Library Board was request- - in an increase for 1977-78 to $117,399. The primary objective for the new fiscal year is to plan, organize, develop, supervise and administer a new library facility in the Town of Carrboro. To support the Carrboro -- facility, the Library Hoard is requesting $5,000 from the County fox the purchase of books. He stated that the proposed Carrboro Library will be located in the Carr Mill where space has been offered at a cost of less than $3.00 per square foot. The Town of Carrboro is presently working on budgeting of this facility and a sizable amount of money for the library will come from Carrboro. The $5,000 request from the County is contingent upon Carrboro proceeding with plans foz the new library. Mr. Davison introduced Mrs. Emma Williams who worked with the Carrboro Library £or many years. Mrs. Williams asked that the County support the request for funds to develop the library in the Town of Carrboro. Mayor West, Mayor of the Town of Carrboro, also spoke in support of the libx'ary for Carrboro. Other objectives listed by the Library Board were (2) continue tc pro- vide traditional book and non-print library services from the Confederate Memorial Library in Hillsborough. (3) continue Extension and Outreach Services from the Orange County Bookmobile. (4) continue to provide Out- reach services to 1) aging, 2) pre-school children, 3) mentally and phyci- cally handicapped, (5) continue the program that provides 16mm films to _ Orange County Schools from the N. C. State Library Film Service, (6) develop as much as possible with existing resources and personnel, the library's present minimum audiovisual services, (7) to develop the "books by mail program," a service to rural patrons, (8) assist architect with planning a new Confederate Memorial Library in the Grady Brown School, as head- quarters for the Orange County Library. Another primary objective of the Library Board is to bring the library personnel's salary to a reasonal level, and as comparable to the salary paid other library personnel else where in the State. The Library Board asked that a Library Assistant I position, which had been previously funded through CETA fund, be picked up :. Also, a new position of Library Assistant I, Grade 54, was requested. Apart-time position of Library Clerk was requested for the ordering of films for the School System. Mr. Davison stated that the ordering procedure was a long and costly process.