AG 2003 07 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ma}, 29, 2003 Budget Review - Social Services DRAFT Page 138 Mr. Jim Cook, Social Services Director, presented the 2002 Annual Report for the Department of Social Services (DSS) and introduced Ms. Rita Willeford, Social Services Board member, and Ms. Sandy Russell, Deputy Director. He commented on the impact of current economic conditions and the increase in the number of County residents receiving assistance. Mr. Cook gave an overview of the proposed FY 2004 Social Services budget, which included a transfer of positions from Adult Services to Economic Services, the addition of a part-time Spanish Interpreter position and the addition of an In-Home Aide Coordinator in the Community Alternatives Program. Further, he requested that the Board approve the following two changes to the proposed FY 2004 budget: (1) $55,000.00 in federal funding to contract with Community Link to perform Home Studies; and (2) Outsourcing of some of the Department's office service functions (reception, file room and mail handling) through a contract with Millennium, Inc. of Charlotte at an annual cost of approximately $183,840.00. Mr. Cook reported the proposed outsourcing would be cost and revenue neutral and would provide for enhanced operational performance, including an automated record tracking system. Further, he stated the proposed contract would result in the elimination of five of the six existing office service positions through a reduction in force with the sixth position to be assigned to the Economic Services Division as an Income Maintenance Caseworker. It is anticipated that some of the five employees will be hired by the contractor or absorbed in other vacancies in the department. There was brief discussion regarding the proposal to outsource some of the office functions at DSS and the benefits of that outsourcing. It was noted that the Social Services Board had approved the proposal. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carpenter, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board agreed to the requested changes to the FY 2004 Social Services budget as presented by Jim Cook, including {1) the increase in revenue and expenses of $55,000.00 to facilitate a contract with Community Link to perform Home Studies and (2) a contract in the amount of approximately $183,840.00 with Millennium, Inc. of Charlotte, North Carolina, for the outsourcing of reception, file room, and mail handling functions for the Department effective August 15, 2003. As a part of the outsourcing proposal, there will be a reduction in force (RIF) for five of the six existing office services positions with the sixth position to be reallocated as an Income Maintenance Caseworker II position.