Commissioners press for DSS staffing increases, say department needs new vehicle

Commissioner Loder Reed told the board that the Department of Social Services (DSS) has detailed staffing and operating needs that require consideration in the FY27 budget. She said DSS requested a lead social worker to oversee CPS assistance, one additional food-stamp position and four Medicaid positions to help reduce an error rate that could become financially significant to the county. "It's more like a lead person... someone to help with the assistance with the CPS," Loder Reed said, and she offered to distribute the department's detailed budget and salary requests to commissioners.

DSS staffing needs came with concerns about facilities and equipment. Loder Reed listed capital and maintenance needs at the DSS building — gutters, roof repairs, sewer cleanouts and new computers — and argued training and supplies will be necessary to reduce errors tied to case processing. Commissioners noted the timing: an error-rate threshold (described by a DSS representative) could make the county financially liable if the county exceeds a roughly 6% error rate on certain state-administered assistance programs.

Commissioner Gatewood flagged the DSS fleet problem as a high priority, describing the current vehicle as a 2011–2012 Malibu that is no longer roadworthy and recounted times staff were stranded. "They have a 2011 2012 Malibu... it's not roadworthy," Gatewood said, calling replacement a priority. Other commissioners agreed vehicle replacement should be included in next year’s recommended budget; staff noted some vehicle purchases were deferred this year and replacements would be considered in the recommended budget.

Ending: Commissioners asked county staff to distribute the full DSS request packet and to include vehicle replacement needs among deferred vehicle requests when preparing the recommended budget for FY27.