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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19780323~' ,~ :~:._ y MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MARCH 23, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, March 23, 1978 at approximately 7:30 p.m., at Poppa Joe's Restau- rant in Hillsborough. This meeting was with the Orange County Social Ser- vices Board and Supervisors for the purpose of reviewing that department's 1978-1979 budget. Commissioners present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker,. and Donald Willhoit. Social Services Board members present were Chairman Clem Johnson, Jan Pinney, D. W. Lambert, Mae McLendon and Joanne Carl. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans; Finance Director, Tom Ward, Social Services Director, Francis Whitt, Social Ser- vices Supervisor, Deanna Bullard, Supervisor, Jahn Hughes, Supervisor, Martin Whitt, Supervisor, Marilyn Tyroler, Supervisor, Rick Poole, Admini- strative Officer in the Social Services bepartment, Joe Bradshaw, County Administrative Assistant, and Agatha Johnson, C1erk'to the Board. The Social Services Director opened the meeting by stating that the time schedule for this year's budget is the same as before. The County Commissioners should approve a tentative budget which must be presented to the State by April 15, 1978. Mr. Ward presented to the Commissioners copies of the proposed State budget forms and the proposed County budget for the Social Services Department. He reviewed with the two Boards the proposed Administrative budget on the State forms. The total number of positions shown for the Department is 60.5. It was pointed out that last year's budget showed the total number of posi- tions as 100.5. Mr. Ward explained the difference in this year's budget and last year's is the Chore Service employees. Last year, 38 employees were shown in the fatal number of positions and this year those 38 employees are not shown in the administrative budget, thereby using $100,000 less of Title XX monies. He explained that when the 38 Chore Service employees are included, this weights the entire budget heavily in Title XX funds. This is a new procedure now used in North Carolina and does conserve Title XX monies. Mr. Ward stated his department was attempting to deliver the same Chore Service during 1978-79 as was delivered in the past year. This year, the Social Services Board is budgeting $180,000 for Chore Service which is the level of expenditure. Mr. Ward pointed out that 33 employees axe supported by Title XX Funds. Commissioner Willhoit asked Mr. Ward for a breakdown of in-county travel of Social Service employees compared to out-of county travel. Mr. Ward stated that the majority of travel was within the County and amounted to approximately 95 percent. The bottom line figure in the Administrative budget for Title F.X funds this year is $553,597. Last year's figure was $584,000. For County pazticipation under Title XX, a figure of $167,924 is projected, compared to the County cost of $170,763 in the administrative budget during 1977- .. 1978. The County cost for the Family Planning Pzogram far 19.78-79 is pro- jected at $1,139 which is the same as last year. The County cost for the W1N program is projected at $6,056 compared to last year's total of $1,746. The C[4A (Non Title Xx) Service is budgeted at $4,413. The 1977-78 cost was $2,948. The Other (Local Only) projection for 1978-79 is $1,888. Last Year's figures were $191. r. ' '~"~Zn the Income Maintenance section of the proposed budget, $40,564 is projected for P.FDC (IV-A). Last year's total was $9,181. Under the MA Program, $47,307 is being requested, as compared to the $17,603 figure of last year. Mr. Ward informed the Board that the Social Services Board expected a dramatic increase in the Food Stamp Program next Fall, since new guide- lines are being issued. The County Participation amount for 1978-79 is budgeted at $49,120. Last year's amount was $8,544. Under Special Assistance to Adults, $3,306 is requested in the admini- strative budget. Five hundred, forty-nine ($549) was requested last year. The Total County cost in the administrative duget is projected at $321,717. This is compared to a cast of $289,649 for last year. Mr. Ward stated the increase in the budget is due to the service capacity increase. Added in this budget is one Social Worker 2 in the Supportive Section. This worker will work in the Health Department in certifying a health screening program and working in the MA Program in the 5oci~1 Ser- vices Department. One additional eligibility specialist is requested fox the Food Stamp Program, however, this worker would not be hired until October, 1978, if at a11. Also requested is a one-half time Social Worker II for the WIN Program. These three positions have caused the service capacity increase. Mr. Ward then reviewed with the two Boards a breakdown of the Public Assistance Expenditures. He stated the number of AFDC recipients has in- creased from 937 in 1976-77 to 1132 in November of 1977. The State pro- jection is 485 per month in 1978-79. The total cost in the AFDC Program for 1978-79 is estimated at $873,000. This year the Department will over spend in this program, .however, it is projected this spending will level- off. The annual county share for this program is $137,254 which i.s a $7,933 dollar increase over last year. The AFDC-FC Program is greatly reduced over previous years due to new Federal policies and interpretations. The Social Services Board is pro- jecting (5) additional children to receive AFDC-FC for 1978-79. Presently there are (4) children participating in this program. Clients who were in the AFDC-FC Program have been shifted to the State AFDG Foster Care Program which means an increase to the County. The State/County Special Assistance to Adults Program has a projec- tion of 65 at a cost of $180 per recipients. Mr. Ward explained that the cost of rest home care increased last April 1st and is expected to increase again in January. The current cost is $154. This is a 50/50 State/County Program. The Social Services Director reviewed the Medicaid Program breakdown for 1978-79. The cost of the Medicaid Program makes up about fifty percent of the total Social Services budget. This year's Medical Assistance bud- get is projected at $2,182,480. An estimate of $167,924 is projected for Title XX for Program Staff and Program Operations. This is a decrease of $2,839 over the 1977-78 allocation. The $167,924 is the current level of expenditures with little room for expansion. The Chore Assistance Program, which is a contract purchased service with Countil on Aging, projects a total of $3,`200 with $2,400 coming from Federal and $800 from the County. Another purchased service is Day Care for Children with $176,047 budgeted for 1978-79, and $1,000 for Family Planning. Mr. Ward reviewed the Federal share of Title XX monies which is esti- mated quarterly: July - Sept. 1978 $154,044 Oct - Dec.. 1978 182,052 Jan -Mar. 1979 182,052 Apr -June 1979 182,052 Total is $700,200 Mr. Ward explained that regulations point out if Counties underspend the first quarter, that monies is last. Counties cannot underspend more than five percent during the second quarter. The current level of spending quarterly is $170,000. ,, ~"~ 3 Mrs. Bullard, Day Care Supervisor, informed the Board .of a waiting list which exist in Day Care Services. This program presently serves 139 children monthly. Awaiting list of 35 children and 25 infants also exist, however, this is due to a lack of space and time lag in placing,. instead of a lack of funds. There are no vacancies in day care using Title XX funds. She stated it usually takes between 30 to 60 days to place a child who is an a waiting list. An additional $18,953 is being requested under Unfinanced Requirements of Title XX for Purchased Services for Day Care. The $18,953 is approximately one month's cost for Day Care. The Director pointed out to the Board that this Social Services Budget has been formulated to show a deficit in Day Care since day care is the only program which does have back up funds (100 percent Title XX monies). Five additional staff workers, at a cost of $5,000 is requested for day care. Mr. Ward added that $50,000 is the maximum 100 percent monies that the County can request, however, these monies cannot be spend until the last quarter of the fiscal year. The total projected budget for day care service is $195,000. The County is in need of a licenced day care center in Northern Orange. The Foster Home Care Program has not changed. The State will partici- pate in sharing a small amount of this cost which will bring the County cost of $36,000 down. The County presently has 61 children in Foster Care, however, all are not supported by the County. Some increase in cost is anticipated in this program. The Social Services Board has cited a need for emergency day care for children who are protective services cases or abused or neglected cases. The Board is proposing, an a trial basis, to use County money from either the Faster Care or General Assistance Fund, to fund 2 or 3 cases per month. The proposed program is not in this budget. The Social Services Board would like to know the Commissioners' feelings about this new program. Mr. Ward added if these 2 or 3 children were placed in foster care, the cost would be $62.50 per child. So an additional $40.00 per month would not mean a great increase and would keep same children from going into Foster care which would cost more, thereby, a saving to the County could be realized. Another County supported program, Aid to the Blind, was pointed out by the Social Services Director. The same amount is being requested this year as last year, $2,431. The other County program is the General Assistance Program. Fifteen thousand ($15,000) is projected for this program with an additional $3,000 requested for the Back to School Frogram, for a total County cost of $18,000. An Abortion Program is funded from the General Assistance Fund with reimbursements from the State. Currently, two abortions are certified each week. Services are received from N. C. Memorial Hospital and the Woman's Pavilion in Durham. The total County cost for providing Social Services Programs for 1978--1979 is $715,718. Commissioner Pinney stated he felt this is a realistic budget in terms of providing programs and serving the needs of the County. Discussion ensued. "- Commissioner Willhoit stated he felt an evaluation should be provided of what percentage of the County population is eligible for Social Services compared to those persons receiving the services. He stated he felt the Department was doing the bare minimum of what is required and this budget does not give a true picture of the County's needs. He added the Social Services Board should provide more public information of programs available. Joanne Carl responded by stating the Board realized inflation was high and there are needs which have not been met, however, the Social Services Board has tried in the past to increase services and "has been knocked dawn". She stated the Board was attempting to provide a better educational image to the County. The image portrayed is due to poor news coverages and mis- quotes. ~ _. ~_~ • Commissioner Gustaveson asked if the Social Services gap in the County is being closed or is the County falling behind? Marilyn Tyroler responded that "it is difficult to document every- thing a Social Services worker does during a day." She added that workers were overburdened with heavy case loads and paperwork. She. suggested that the staff be expanded to relieve workers to perform the work they have been trained to do. John Hughes, Supervisor, stated there are many services requested by residents which the Department cannot provide. Most of the services are mandated. He too added it is difficult to measure the output of a Social Service Worker. Chairman Whitted stated he flet the results of keeping families to- gether and keeping older adults in their own homes as opposed to altex'- natives shows positive results which says it is worth the effort. He added it is hard to know who needs services if those people do not came in for the service. It appears that General Assistance and Day Care are needed areas which might need more attention. He suggested that the Social Services Board keep the County Gommissioners informed on a periodic basis. They should set out priorities and tell the Commissioners what is needed. Commissioner Gustaveson inquired if the County would be better off putting monies into one major program instead of vaxious smaller programs. He suggested further that the Social Services Board try new programs if present programs are not effective. Mr. Ward remarked that the image of welfare is a fight which must be dealt with. He pointed out there is a nea_ative connotation in the County toward receiving Social Services. Further discussion ensued regarding methods in which the Social Services Department can be more effective. The meeting was then ajourned. , C/~~~i ; Richard E. t9hitted, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APRIL 3, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, April 3, 197$, at 10:00 a.m., in the Commissioners` Roam of the Courthouse in Hillsborough. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Others present were 5. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans, Finance Director, Geoffrey Gledhill, County Attorney, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk . The Chairman asked if there were any persons present, who were not listed on the agenda, and who had matters to bring to the attention of the Board. No one came forth. The Chairman asked if members of the Board wished to add items to the agenda. Items added to the agenda were: Discussion of a letter received from Dr. Robert Hanes Discussion of ECO's Newspaper box proposal Discussion of renovation of the Chapel Hill Multi-purpose Center. Item 2: Minutes of the March 21 and 23, 197$ Board meetings are submitted for consideration. Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, the March 21, 1978 minutes were approved. Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Conanissioner Gustaveson, the March 23, 1978 minutes were approved.