Nelson County Social Services seeks $79,000 true-up to cover staff costs

Brad Burdette and Allison McGarry of the Nelson County Department of Social Services attended the April 18 Board of Supervisors work session to explain a $79,000 budget request described as a 'true-up' rather than a new position. Burdette said the amount reflects projected salaries and benefits as the department approaches full staffing and that part of the request is designed to cover operations if the department exhausts its primary personnel line.

Allison McGarry explained the local match dynamics: initial funding lines are matched at about 15.5% and subsequent pass-through funding carries a higher local ratio (about 74–76%), producing a local-match obligation estimated at roughly $60,000. County supervisors asked when DSS needed a decision; Burdette said they could wait until the state budget outcome is known and noted DSS's fiscal year ends on May 31, which could push the need for clarification into May or later.

Supervisor Jesse N. Rutherford suggested the Board could wait for the state's final budget before committing local funds; Burdette said waiting would not harm DSS operations but could force an interim request in January if staffing expenditures exceed existing lines.

The Board took no immediate funding action at the April 18 session and asked DSS to update the Board once state allocations were finalized.