HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_1975 (2)Phase IV (water distribution system) and to release Cash Bond Receipt # 18951 that is being held for
the Davidson Ridge Subdivision in the amount of $855 (seeding).
VOTING: Ayes - 5, Nays - 0.
REQUEST FROM DSS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEVEN CHILD
PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS) SOCIAL WORKER 111 POSITIONS: Don Wall, the DSS
Director, said he had submitted two options in reference to the establishment of the positions.
Option I would use money from lapsed salaries that had accrued for the past three months. Wall
said the remainder of funds ($11,128) would probably be available in lapsed salary funds at the end
of January 1999. Option 2 entailed sacrificing some of the imaging system funds ($11,128). Wall
said he recommended Option 1.
Commissioner Johnson asked about the "electing county" funding. Mr. Wall said he hoped
to receive an additional $640,000. Johnson asked if this money could be used to fund some of the
positions. Wall said Jane Smith, from the NC Department of Health & Human Resources, had
advised this could be done. The Child Protective Services segment was put in the Work First Block
Grant so it would be possible to utilize some the $640,000 for social workers. Wall said, however,
that he did not know when the money would be forthcoming. It depended upon when the legislature
finalized everything.
Commissioner Stewart said the block grant funds could supplant money spent for the
employees. It could not be used for the imaging system, and this was why Mr. Wall was probably
recommending Option 1.
Commissioner Boone said the imaging system was a one-time expense compared to the
recurring expense of employees. He also explained, to the audience, that larger departments, such
as social services, typically had lapsed-salary money - - it was not like the department or county
had found a "pot of gold."
Commissioner Fortner asked where the additional employees would be housed. Wall said,
"We will double up. We will fill our positions on Hwy. 21, and we will double up all of the offices
that are not already doubled up."
MOTION by Commissioner Fortner to approve three (3) Social Worker Ill positions and
to review the need again when the Work First Block Grant funds were received.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION by Commissioner Stewart to approve Option I as was
recommended by the DSS Director.
Commissioner Boone said he had a concern about receiving large requests in the middle of
the budget year.
Commissioner Stewart said many topics had been discussed during the meeting except for
the real subject matter - - the protection of children. Stewart said the new employees were being
requested to protect children. Stewart said if the Board could keep one family together, or if it
could save one child's life, it had accomplished a great deal more than spending the money on
something else. Mrs. Stewart said she had served on the DSS Board for 14 years and she understood
the need for the workers.
Commissioner Fortner said she understood the Board members had a responsibility to
protect the public, but there were also some fiscal responsibilities.
Commissioner Johnson said Mrs. Fortner's motion was reasonable, and that it was giving
the department some immediate help. Also, that additional help could come in the future.
Commissioner Fortner reminded the group that two new CPS employees were approved in