Putnam County social services to add temporary pay differential, reclassify IT role and accept OTDA grant
May 14, 2025 | Putnam County, New York
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Putnam County Legislature approved a pay differential for a Department of Social Services (DSS) worker covering a supervisor's duties and moved forward with a reclassification and a state grant to expand family-centered case management.
Commissioner Sarah Servideo told the personnel committee that the Medicaid unit supervisor went on leave on Feb. 19, 2025, and "the retro would be from 02/20/2025," so the senior worker who stepped into the role would receive a pay differential retroactive to that date. Servideo said the differential is funded from a vacant line.
Committee members asked whether the worker would continue to receive the differential until the supervisor returned; Servideo replied the leave duration was "unknown, but most likely" through the end of the year. The committee approved the budgetary amendment to fund the pay differential.
The committee also approved a reclassification request to change a DSS position from "senior computer operational specialist" (grade 17) to "coordinator of information technology" (grade 19). Staff explained the reclassification reflects consolidated duties after a part-time IT staffer retired; officials said the move is expected to be a net savings because the agency will not backfill the part-time role.
On grant funding, DSS officials briefed the committee on a $165,000 award from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to support family-centered case management services. The grant will fund upgrading a current case worker to senior case worker status, purchase a vehicle used for outreach and client transport, and buy computers for staff. Servideo said the grant is fully funded and described it as a reimbursement-style grant; she said the county has been told the funding comes with a 10-year promise from the state. The item will come before audit next week for formal budget actions.
No members of the public spoke against the items. The committee approved the pay differential and the reclassification and voted to accept the grant package for further audit review.
Commissioner Sarah Servideo told the personnel committee that the Medicaid unit supervisor went on leave on Feb. 19, 2025, and "the retro would be from 02/20/2025," so the senior worker who stepped into the role would receive a pay differential retroactive to that date. Servideo said the differential is funded from a vacant line.
Committee members asked whether the worker would continue to receive the differential until the supervisor returned; Servideo replied the leave duration was "unknown, but most likely" through the end of the year. The committee approved the budgetary amendment to fund the pay differential.
The committee also approved a reclassification request to change a DSS position from "senior computer operational specialist" (grade 17) to "coordinator of information technology" (grade 19). Staff explained the reclassification reflects consolidated duties after a part-time IT staffer retired; officials said the move is expected to be a net savings because the agency will not backfill the part-time role.
On grant funding, DSS officials briefed the committee on a $165,000 award from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to support family-centered case management services. The grant will fund upgrading a current case worker to senior case worker status, purchase a vehicle used for outreach and client transport, and buy computers for staff. Servideo said the grant is fully funded and described it as a reimbursement-style grant; she said the county has been told the funding comes with a 10-year promise from the state. The item will come before audit next week for formal budget actions.
No members of the public spoke against the items. The committee approved the pay differential and the reclassification and voted to accept the grant package for further audit review.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
