Social services projects $1.25 million budget increase
NORWICH - The preliminary social services budget for 2011 would hike the amount Chenango County taxpayers pay for the department by $1.25 million.
Department of Social Services Commissioner Bette Osborne was quick to point out that the county received $900,000 in the one-time only federal stimulus last year, which accounts for much of the increase.
The projected amount is also due to more caseloads, higher costs per day for residential foster care, some reductions in children’s services program reimbursements and an increase to the state cap on Medicaid.
Worker salaries increased 3.5 and 3.6 percent, and fringe benefit payouts, including retirement, are up 29 percent.
In her report to the Chenango County Health and Human Services committee on Tuesday, Osborne said she wasn’t certain about the fringe number, and indicated that it could indeed be higher. She said she has tried to offset personnel costs by budgeting more for over time expenses rather than adding staff.
The committee heard wages and benefits increases for a handful of departments this week, prompting at least one supervisor to object. Town of New Berlin Supervisor Ross Iannello said he thought the raises were “hefty increase in these trying times.”
Town of Afton Supervisor Robert Briggs said, “They’re ridiculous.”
Repairs to Preston Manor’s septic and water filtration systems in 2011 are anticipated to cost about 50 percent more. To cover it, the commissioner said she was cutting back on preventative maintenance. Contracted engineers are expected to propose specifications for the filtration work by year’s end. Osborne estimated $50,000 for the new system that is needed to mediate the higher than mandated levels of arsenic found in the residential facilities’ water supply.
State reimbursement cuts to two contracts that DSS holds with other county agencies are in jeopardy next year. A contract with the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department to provide meals for Sheriff’s Camp would be eliminated, as will an in-school counseling program conducted in the Oxford schools by Chenango County Catholic Charities. DSS took over the counseling program from the Chenango County Youth Bureau two years ago. Local taxpayers would have to afford $132,000 for the two programs.
The estimated budget for Medicaid and Medical Assistance needed to cover DSS caseloads next year is projected to increase by 3 percent, or nearly $1 million.
There are currently eight youths in residential schools and 40 in foster care. Daily rates for both programs were up.
Department of Social Services Commissioner Bette Osborne was quick to point out that the county received $900,000 in the one-time only federal stimulus last year, which accounts for much of the increase.
The projected amount is also due to more caseloads, higher costs per day for residential foster care, some reductions in children’s services program reimbursements and an increase to the state cap on Medicaid.
Worker salaries increased 3.5 and 3.6 percent, and fringe benefit payouts, including retirement, are up 29 percent.
In her report to the Chenango County Health and Human Services committee on Tuesday, Osborne said she wasn’t certain about the fringe number, and indicated that it could indeed be higher. She said she has tried to offset personnel costs by budgeting more for over time expenses rather than adding staff.
The committee heard wages and benefits increases for a handful of departments this week, prompting at least one supervisor to object. Town of New Berlin Supervisor Ross Iannello said he thought the raises were “hefty increase in these trying times.”
Town of Afton Supervisor Robert Briggs said, “They’re ridiculous.”
Repairs to Preston Manor’s septic and water filtration systems in 2011 are anticipated to cost about 50 percent more. To cover it, the commissioner said she was cutting back on preventative maintenance. Contracted engineers are expected to propose specifications for the filtration work by year’s end. Osborne estimated $50,000 for the new system that is needed to mediate the higher than mandated levels of arsenic found in the residential facilities’ water supply.
State reimbursement cuts to two contracts that DSS holds with other county agencies are in jeopardy next year. A contract with the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department to provide meals for Sheriff’s Camp would be eliminated, as will an in-school counseling program conducted in the Oxford schools by Chenango County Catholic Charities. DSS took over the counseling program from the Chenango County Youth Bureau two years ago. Local taxpayers would have to afford $132,000 for the two programs.
The estimated budget for Medicaid and Medical Assistance needed to cover DSS caseloads next year is projected to increase by 3 percent, or nearly $1 million.
There are currently eight youths in residential schools and 40 in foster care. Daily rates for both programs were up.
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