Meeker County approves HHS staffing shifts to bolster eligibility unit amid state system changes

Meeker County's Board of Commissioners approved a set of staffing changes in Health & Human Services intended to strengthen the county's eligibility unit in response to upcoming state and federal changes to benefit‑admin systems.

Tina Schenk, Health and Human Services director, told the board that state-level system changes (the "Quest" project and other eligibility‑system rollouts) and federal changes that took effect last July have significantly increased workload and risk. Schenk said staff must be retrained, the county must separate systems, and penalties tied to SNAP error rates could carry significant fiscal impacts statewide. "All of those changes are hitting, between June 1...and the end of summer," Schenk said, describing a staggered rollout and the need for additional supervisory capacity.

To respond, Schenk proposed moving two existing positions to the Eligibility Unit, hiring a second eligibility supervisor, reclassifying one accounting technician to a higher pay grade (B22), converting specified technician roles into three human‑service specialist positions and one supervisor, and expanding child‑support staffing from two to three positions. Schenk described the package as "cost neutral" but acknowledged it would cause disruption for affected staff.

Commissioner discussion focused on implementation, training needs, and likely timelines for new software. A motion to approve the reclassifications and position changes was moved and seconded; the board carried the motion by voice vote.

The county will proceed with the personnel changes and follow-up actions, including required job reclassifications and internal training. Schenk said the adjustments aim to reduce the county's error risk and improve case management capacity as state and federal system changes take effect.