03-15-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--March 15, 1999 1954 14. CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT, Unbudgeted staff oosition delayed Kathy Ziegelmann, Director of the Southeast Regional Child Support Enforcement Unit, appeared before the Board concerning a request for an unbudgeted, full-time case analyst position with an anticipated starting date of April 1 , 1999. She said the case analysts have been working overtime on computer conversions, as well as working overtime on their regular work, and they still are not current in their work. Each case analyst works approximately 1,400 cases, and the caseloads have been steadily increasing over the past five years, she said. Four of the five case analysts from her staff were also present at today's meeting. Mrs. Ziegelmann referred to budget sessions last fall when her request for additional staff was denied, and it was her understanding she could return during the year to make a further request, if necessary. She said if the case analyst caseload is not reduced, it will be difficult to properly manage child support enforcement files in order to meet Federal mandates of the IV-D program, and she is also concerned about the level of customer service. In addition to the materials provided to Commissioners in the agenda packet, Mrs. Ziegelmann provided a hand-out today showing the salary, benefits, and office equipment for this position in the amount of $27,177 for the months of April - December, if the position is started this year. Mr. Wieland suggested delaying a decision for two weeks until the other five counties in the Southeast Region have an opportunity to comment on the staffing request and their expected cost participation. Mrs. Ziegelmann said she has contacted the other five counties about the staffing request, but they have not seen the expense sheet and cost participation information. Mr. Wieland expressed concerns about State and Federal mandates for counties, as the child support enforcement unit had 4-5 employees when first formed, and they now have 20 full-time staff. Commissioners discussed contacting legislators for some relief to counties in this program. Mr. Koenig said each of the five case analysts are handling a caseload of 1,400 cases, and a 1997 survey suggested a case load of 600 files per person. He does not believe one new position will be enough to handle the workload. Mr. Meyer asked if the files would be current by hiring one additional case analyst, and Mrs. Ziegelmann responded that it probably will not be enough but she would like to start with one more at this time and re-evaluate the situation in late fall. Commissioners discussed the shortage of money in Cass County's budget to pay for the new position, and Mrs. Ziegelmann indicated costs would be recouped through incentive payments and the 20% cost participation from the other counties in this region. She estimated the entire reimbursement to be approximately $15,000. A question was asked about the situation in other regions of the State, and Mrs. Ziegelmann said they are struggling also. She said everything the State is doing now is according to Federal mandates but the problem, as she sees it, is how they have chosen to divide up the duties, such as the shift of income withholding orders from the Clerk's Offices to the Regional Child Support Enforcement Units. Mr. Wieland asked the County Auditor how Cass County would finance their $10-12,000 share of this position, and Mr. Montplaisir said the Commission would have to authorize a budget adjustment in the Child Support Enforcement budget, as well as Social Services. Kathy Hogan, Cass County Social Services Director, was also present for this discussion and indicated there is a $30,000 shortage in reimbursements for computer costs in the budget.