Human Services

hsbminutesaug2014.pdf (25 KB)

MINUTES

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES

Meeting:                                            August 4, 2014, 5:00 p.m., County Board Gallery, West Square Building, Baraboo, WI

Members Present:                            Scott Alexander, James Bowers, Andrea Lombard, Beverly Vertein, Joan Fordham, Julie Fleming, Peter Vedro, Thomas Kriegl, John Miller

Members Excused:                          None

Members Absent:                             None

Others Present:                                 Orth, Brattset, Box, Lori Dee, David Zeller, Cindy Jones

Chair, Scott Alexander called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law.

Motion by Andrea Lombard, seconded by Peter Vedro to adopt agenda.  Motion Carried.

Motion by Joan Fordham, seconded by Andrea Lombard to approve minutes of the previous Human Services Board meeting held on July 7, 2014, with the correction to Department Updates, letter b., last sentence to read “Thus, this meeting may be changed, please watch for updates.”  Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None.

Communication

Articles were provided by Tom Kriegl related to homelessness and the cost to taxpayers.  Discussed being proactive costs less.  Vets and people with mental health issues are incarcerated without intervention.  Vets have access to benefits; we should make sure they get to these resources to cut down on incarceration.

Sauk County Tobacco Free Coalition approached Peter Vedro to see how schools/county can integrate, attack youth smoking, and work to support schools and communities.  The State has cut funding by 2/3.  Bill Orth will review the materials.

Business Items:

Review and Approve Monthly Vouchers:  Stephanie Box distributed and reviewed the monthly voucher report.

More refunds (MA/Medicare reimbursement) have reduced institution costs.

Motion by Joan Fordham, seconded by James Bowers to approve the monthly vouchers in the amount of $1,276,534.83.  Motion Carried.

2015 Budget Request:

Bill presented Form 1 which organized the budget by program.Outcome Measures for 2015—doing well so he increased some of the percentages.Asking for additional $145,000 which is a 1.9% increase.

We contract with qualified agencies to provide services.Community Action Council is a good resource for homelessness.

Bill reviewed the budget narrative.Salary and fringe benefits include two new requested positions, at a levy cost of $105,000.Child Protective Services is all levy and Economic Support is reimbursed 50% from the Federal government.The Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program is now receiving 100% reimbursement.Due to underspending and increased revenues, we are able to absorb all but $145,000 of the $692,377.

Alternate care last year was reduced by between $40,000 and $50,000 and $200,000 this year.There is less foster care but more intensive levels of care.

Economic Support caseloads remain high.We are losing the Food Share Employment and Training (FSET) position and revenue from this which funds 50% of this position.By adding a full-time Assistant Supervisor and keeping the former FSET position as a full time Economic Support worker this will help significantly in this unit.

Child Protective Services referrals are up significantly over the last two years.It has been difficult but we are trying to keep the caseloads to 10-15 cases per worker.The new full-time position will help keep a lower caseload.

Institutions—we are receiving good refunds from Mendota and Winnebago.It is very achievable to receive $300,000 we have budgeted from third party refunds.There should be no threat of the State changing the refunds.The Affordable Care Act may help increase refunds as more people have health insurance coverage.

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council position costs are in the Administrative Coordinator’s budget.Interviews for the coordinator will occur on August 5, 2014.

Homelessness—Working with Community Action Council to support 12-15 additional families in 2015.

Sources of Increase Revenue—Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) will be fully funded and save us a lot of money.

Outside Organization Request—we will have presentations next month.

Bill is very pleased where we have come out.

Bill presented the levy request summary.In 2014, the budget levy was $7,621,748; of which $32,500 was outside agency requests.Salary and Fringe doesn’t include pay increase as of 8/1/14.Program revenues include Families Come First which is new grant money that we will have again next year.We get a full refund for non-Wisconsin residents who are picked up and taken to Mendota.Income Maintenance will have additional revenue with two new positions; in losing the FSET position, we will lose $62,516.CSDRB (Community Services Deficit Reduction Benefit) – Medicaid reimbursement at the end of the year.Comprehensive Community Services - $470,436 which is an increase in Medicaid revenue.Discussed the possible risk of the State reducing funding for CCS as they look at Medicaid money being paid out.Program expenses include additional cost with the new psychiatrist.Program Administration included Central Wisconsin Community Action Council (CWCAC) for homelessness.CBRF placements are related to Adult Protective Services (APS).

Joan Fordham recognized Bill for all the hard work he has put into the budget.Dan Brattset commended Human Services’ management and staff for their efforts.

Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Joan Fordham to move the budget forward.  Motion Carried.

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board will be September 8, 2014 at 5:00 P.M.  Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Andrea Lombard to adjourn.  Motion Carried.