From:
French, Rick
Sent: 12/10/2020 5:52:43 PM
To:
Whisnant, Leeanne <lwhisnant@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject:

RE: Programs that are Not required by the State


Can you come by early in the morning, say 8:30? Thanks, Rick

 

From: Whisnant, Leeanne <lwhisnant@alexandercountync.gov>
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2020 4:00 PM
To: French, Rick <rfrench@alexandercountync.gov>
Cc: Clements, Linda <lclements@alexandercountync.gov>; Walker, Billie <bwalker@alexandercountync.gov>; larry yoder (lgaryy@yahoo.com) <lgaryy@yahoo.com>; Reese, Ronnie <rreese@alexandercountync.gov>; Peal, Jeff (External Address Home) <jeffpeal2010@gmail.com>; Marty Pennell (martypennell@gmail.com) <martypennell@gmail.com>; Lail, Josh (External Address Home) (joshuadlail@gmail.com) <joshuadlail@gmail.com>; Starnes, Jamie <jstarnes@alexandercountync.gov>; Feimster, Judy <jfeimster@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Programs that are Not required by the State

 

Rick,

I will be happy to work on the data you are requesting, but I won’t lie, this is very troubling.  We have spent a very challenging year and half, improving the overall operations at the Department of Social Services and we have made good progress, but this is a long-term process.  We have just begun to see this work paying off in staff retention, audits, performance and staff morale.

 I hope the Board of County Commissioners recognize the audit exceptions presented at the last meeting had already been identified and corrected by staff prior to the financial audit.  One of these errors was made in 2018, prior to Consolidation and the other by outgoing staff, early in the Consolidation process, with the State Consultant assisting us.  I say all of this because all programs offered by DSS and HD may not be State mandated, but are citizen needed and any cuts could have a detrimental, negative impact on this consolidated process.

I understand your concern with growing budget needs for the Department of Social Services, but it seems the Health Department is being penalized by the Consolidation process.  The Health Department budget has not changed and continues to do well as in the past.  So should we not just look at DSS programs? 

I have taken a close look at all budgets and we are working diligently to contain all costs, and will assist in any way possible.  But I am still somewhat confused because, as we have discussed in previous meetings, our budgets did not exceed the approved expenditures, even with COVID-19.  And I do understand your concern that DSS budget is trending upward but this is due to being staffed appropriately at DSS, even though we have chosen not to fill three positions, in our attempt to contain costs.

I am not trying to be difficult but I am at wits end because seeing day-to-day at both departments, I just don’t feel our staff can take anything else.  I know any cuts in staff and/or programs will put us right back where we do not want to be.

I will work to provide you and the Board the best possible data to make these difficult decisions.

 

 

Leeanne Whisnant, MS,BSN

Health and Human Services Director

Alexander County

338 1 st Avenue, SW

Taylorsville,NC 28681

828-352-7795

 

From: French, Rick <rfrench@alexandercountync.gov>
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2020 8:10 AM
To: Whisnant, Leeanne <lwhisnant@alexandercountync.gov>
Cc: Clements, Linda <lclements@alexandercountync.gov>; Walker, Billie <bwalker@alexandercountync.gov>; larry yoder (lgaryy@yahoo.com) <lgaryy@yahoo.com>; Reese, Ronnie <rreese@alexandercountync.gov>; Peal, Jeff (External Address Home) <jeffpeal2010@gmail.com>; Marty Pennell (martypennell@gmail.com) <martypennell@gmail.com>; Lail, Josh (External Address Home) (joshuadlail@gmail.com) <joshuadlail@gmail.com>; Starnes, Jamie <jstarnes@alexandercountync.gov>; Feimster, Judy <jfeimster@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject: Programs that are Not required by the State

 

Can I get a list of programs with budgets/number of employees that are not required by the state for DSS and the Health Department? I need the list by December 21st so we can discuss with the Commissioners at the Human Services meeting on January 4th. Thanks you. Rick