From: | |
Sent: | 12/14/2020 10:06:41 AM |
To: | |
Subject: |
Do you have any time on Tuesday afternoon? Thanks, Rick
From: Clements, Linda <lclements@alexandercountync.gov>
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2020 8:57 AM
To: French, Rick <rfrench@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Programs that are Not required by the State
I’d love to talk more about this to be sure I am focusing on the right things. Is there a best time for us to meet?
Thank you, Linda
From: French, Rick <rfrench@alexandercountync.gov>
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2020 8:35 AM
To: Clements, Linda <lclements@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Programs that are Not required by the State
I am really struggling with this also and it always sounds worse in an email. I think it’s better to talk about it rather than email about it. The Commissioners are not together about this, it ends up a mixed up mess. Anyway, thank you for your comments. My door is always open. Thanks, Rick
From: Clements, Linda <lclements@alexandercountync.gov>
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2020 8:16 AM
To: French, Rick <rfrench@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Programs that are Not required by the State
Thank you for your explanation below. Here is my struggle. I came into this position with an approved budget that I have kept to and even under, including the need to pay back for errors made before my time. Some of this budget increase is due to the approved salary increases to keep staff, along with the added overhead of a Consolidated Director, all approved by the Commissioners. The budget increases for raises, including increase in cost for benefits, and covering the Consolidated Director, accounts for somewhere around $400,000 (very quick estimate and maybe not accurate). I have searched and the size of our organization over the past two years has not grown significantly (maybe a position or two) and maybe less vacancies. So I need t to understand this budget jump this year. Are COVID funds included in any of this jump (which should all be fully paid by the state)? I have asked Michael Dodson to provide to me more information about where the large increases have occurred. If you have more information regarding these details I would appreciate it. I honestly do not believe that reducing positions is the only answer, if we want to be effective. I am working to gather the information you requested about what work is mandated for DSS.
Thank you.
Linda Clements
From: French, Rick <rfrench@alexandercountync.gov>
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2020 4:20 PM
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>; Herman, Jennifer <jherman@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Programs that are Not required by the State
Thanks and I know you understand and I understand there are lots of needs with DSS. We just can’t afford to grow the DSS budget that much over 2 years, we don’t have the money. Going from $2.3 to $2.7 to over $4 million is way too much of an increase. I am not trying to be difficult either but either a tax increase will have to be considered which the Commissioners have made clear that this is not going to happen or even be considered. Or we will have to make reductions somewhere else in the budget. In the 20-21 budget, there is $3.6 million of fund balance budgeted. We will not last 4 years at this pace and if you factor the minimum fund balance, we have 2 years, maybe. Ps, I am not picking on the Health Department, it’s just the amount from DSS is so large and we can’t grow everything. Glad to discuss anytime. 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