Council presses DHHS on why settlement funds went unspent and how county will fix grant management

Several councilmembers pressed DHHS staff about why funds appropriated in earlier fiscal years were not spent and whether services still occurred without the payments. Councilmember Friedson said the lapse should be acknowledged: "I do appreciate that. There's just an acknowledgement that screw‑up was made and it's being faxed," and urged concrete corrective steps and transparency.

James Bridges of the Department of Human Services told the committee the department is conducting an analysis and will strengthen grant oversight. "The short answer is yes, there is a plan. There is an analysis going on now and we look forward to having future discussions about how we continue to move forward," Bridges said, adding the department plans to hire another grants manager and better align finance and program communications.