08-08-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mike Montplaisir added that in regard to the reduction in homemaker travel, a county car will be provided for one homemaker as it is more cost effective than paying mileage to that staff to use a personal vehicle. Economic Assistance: Alice Swenson reviewed numerous program changes in Economic Assistance that directly impact eligibility workers, along with increased caseloads. She stated that in January, 2008 seven eligibility workers turned back 198 hours of annual leave they were unable to use because of the demands of the workload. This was in addition to several hours of donated annual leave in need of donated leave. In addition there was 110 hours of comp time accrued and $15,000 in overtime. She said within the last two years there were seven employees who have due to the unmanageable workloads. In addition several current workers who have met their Rule of 85 have stated they will leave earlier that planned if current expectations continue. In January, 2007 the unduplicated case count was 5,480 which was the last time additional eligibility workers were added. In July, 2008 the case count was 6,451. Ms. Swenson summarized that two Eligibility Worker 1's are needed to the caseloads in the generic units. She said office space will be made by converting a break room into two offices on second floor. One Eligibility Worker Technician is needed to manage the Foster Care eligibility cases. This position would be placed in an existing cubicle on third floor. Family Services: Mr. Ammerman presented information on the Family Service Unit. He requested increasing the Parent Aide positions to full time which would be an additional four hours per week per worker. This program is reimbursed 90% from the state and would be an additional $1640 anticipated cost and revenue for the 2009 budget. The average caseload was 18.5 per case manager in the Family Based Unit. The suggested standard is in the range of8-15. He requested 1.6 FTE Social Worker III's that would reduce the caseload average of 16 per worker. The additional .4 FTE would be contracted through the Red River Children's Advocacy Center (RRCAC) through the Family Based Unit to provide services of forensic interviews of children. This position would be housed at the RRCAC who would provide all office equipment in addition to office space. Mr. Ammerman requested $3,000 be budgeted to pay Rainbow Bridge for contracted services for visitation between children and caregivers and $7,000 to fund shelter care services through Attended Care. This line item split was approved in August, 2008 for the remaining of the year. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m. and reconvened at 9:35 a.m. The Board re-reviewed a summary of budget. Changes were made to the projected 2008 budget in both expenditures and revenues. Fund balance went from $1.4 million to $1.6 million. Revenues increased approximately $20,000. Expenditures changed from $11,178,399 to $10,956,469. Fund balance carryover is projected to be 12.72%. Mr. Wagner clarified that projected expenditures for 2009 would be about $241,000 short of revenues which would be taken from the balance fund.