Human Services Committee

hsb0810.doc (32 KB)

Members Present: Alexander, Bowers, Fabisiak, Dippel, Fordham, Stoeckmann, Vertein, Sinklair, Lombard

Members Excused: None

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Orth, Brattset, Box

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

Motion by Lombard, seconded by Stoeckmann to adopt the agenda. Motion Carried.

Motion by Fordham, seconded by Dippel to approve minutes of the previous meeting with amendment to the July minutes indicating motion and roll call vote to move to Closed Session. Minutes will be amended as noted. Motion Carried.

Public Comment

Cindy Jones, Sauk County Department of Human Services social worker spoke about her history as a social worker at Sauk County Department of Human Services. Ms. Jones reported concerns that wages and benefits at Southwest Family Care Alliance may not be congruent with her experience as a social worker at Sauk County Department of Human Services. She indicated she had worked hard, along with her fellow social workers regarding Family Care at Sauk County and is concerned that Family Care will not deliver on the same level of services, especially in the social worker’s role and caseloads. Ms. Jones cautioned the Board for contracting for services in lieu of Human Services employees.

Communications:

None

Business Items:

1. A. Review and Approval of Monthly Vouchers: Box distributed the monthly voucher report (see attached) and indicated that Salary and Benefits were down due to payroll periods in the month and Administrative was up due to Hope House and CWCAC payments, per budget. Community Living was up due to contracts and invoices being received post contract, the same is true for Community Treatment. Energy Assistance was up due to the overall bill this month. Motion by Fabisiak, seconded by Sinklair to approve the monthly vouchers in the amount of $1,122,690.25. Motion Carried.
2. B. Use of Carry Forward Funds to Purchase Two Vehicles Through the ADRC: Orth noted that about $20,000 of annual savings could be incurred if Sauk County Department of Human Services purchased vehicles in lieu of paying employees mileage. Conceivably, the ADRC would get grant vehicles and there would be a 20% match. This would be less than a $30,000 vehicle or about $6,000 each for match. Orth noted that $10,000 - $15,000 formerly in Carry Forward from Family Care dollars could be used for this purpose. Question by Lombard was why was there set aside dollars for Family Care. Orth responded, we had these dollars in case Family Care had overrun costs. However, that was not the case. Motion by Sinklair, seconded by Fordham to use a maximum of $15,000 from Carry Forward dollars for match funds for ADRC vehicles. Motion Carried.
3. C. 2011 Budget Presentation: Orth distributed the review of the 2011 budget and reviewed the narrative (see attached). Highlights included: decrease in salary and fringe due to Family Care, not filling a part-time CPS social work position and potentially reducing Data/Fiscal and Support. Alternate Care has a slight decrease, but there is a decrease in residential and investment in community programs to offset this. Orth also noted that W-2 continues to be supported via consortium. Orth spoke about Southwest Family Care Alliance (SFCA) taking over care manager supervisor and contracts from Sauk County Department of Human Services. Orth summarized that directors from the counties advocated to keep Family Care, but SFCA Board decided seven to five last week to take over Family Care. There is a transition plan and the Sauk County Personnel Department will meet with employees. Orth further reiterated $170,000 of support from Family Care will be lost. Fordham thanked Orth for providing leadership and efforts to continue Family Care and indicated Sauk County was not a problem and did an excellent job. Fordham noted that the tipping point was Family Care’s long term ability to survive and this change would have been inevitable. Orth noted economic pressures were strong in deciding this determination. Orth continued to review the budget, indicating that in the Institution area it is somewhat unique with adolescents being paid for by the county. Orth summarized increase sources of revenue to include Crisis billing, Children’s Waiver and CCS programs continue to grow. Orth distributed the summary of levy requests (see attached) and outlined new revenues and state cuts. Bowers asked, what are the pros and cons for people we serve? Orth noted some cons include losing the CPS position, but caseloads are able to accommodate this. Otherwise, the cuts in state revenues and decrease in allocations are a concern. However, this budget allows Human Services to maintain service levels. Family Care could be somewhat of a concern. Bowers indicated what about consumers falling back to Human Services if Family Care fails? Orth indicated SFCA will be responsible as per the state contract. Fordham indicated that this is accurate and it has been reiterated many times that the state would be at risk. Orth noted that TMG has completed their first review. Orth and Brattset will be meeting with TMG on August 4, 2010 to review initial recommendations. Box continued the Summary Sheet of the budget detail with specific notations on a number of expense and revenue lines. Motion by Fordham, seconded by Sinklair to approve the 2011 budget at $7,727,449.00. Motion Carried. Comments: Sinklair indicated that this was an excellent presentation. Fordham and Bowers both indicated that it was a very positive presentation overall.

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board is scheduled for Monday, September 13, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

Motion by Fabisiak, seconded by Dippel to adjourn. Motion Carried.

Andrea Lombard