Commissioners OK staffing for JFS; transfer for Madison Township court
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Pictured with Highland County Commissioners (seated, l-r) Gary Heaton, Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst are (standing, l-r) local veterans Rick Wilkin, Denver Conley and Richard Kisamore.
(HCP photo by Rory Ryan)
Commissioners OK staffing for JFS; transfer for Madison Township court
The Highland County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution for two part-time positions with the Department of Job and Family Services at their Nov. 24 commission meeting.
Debbie Robbins, executive director of the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services, had requested two part-time positions, up to 30 hours per week for each position, at a rate of $10 per hour, up from $8.50 an hour.
When asked if the positions would be advertised, Robbins responded that both positions would be filled by students from Charlie Gorman's class at Southern State Community College.
The positions were needed to "help relieve the workload and support staffing," Robbins said. She said the JFS department has had one staff member retire in 2010 and another is expected to retire.
"I've had conversations with Charlie Gorman at Southern State and he has students he would recommend. It's of mutual benefit to the students and the agency," Robbins told Commissioners Gary Heaton, Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst.
Heaton then asked how the positions fit in the department's budget.
"We would be fine," Robbins replied.
Horst asked how long the employees would be working, to which Robbins answered, "I wouldn't see them going past June 30. It's a short-term fix. I've heard a 20-percent reduction (in funding) is likely next year."
"How does that affect you?" Heaton asked.
"Another 681 (county residents) will lose unemployment in December," Robbins said. "That will be our biggest hit. Our attitude is 'our doors will be open.'"
Horst noted that "no matter what we've done (with the budget), we have not cut services in Highland County."
Before voting on the resolution, Wilkin asked Robbins if she had considered leaving the pay at $8.50 and adding 2 1/2 positions.
"From what Charlie Gorman said, he has some people who are pretty sharp," Robbins said.
Wilkin then asked, "Would you start them at $10, or would they build up to it?"
"We would start them at $10 an hour," Robbins said.
Commissioners approved the resolution for JFS staffing, but changed the proposed pay rate from $10 an hour to $9 an hour.
In other action:
• Highland County veterans Denver Conley and Richard Kisamore, representing Veterans Services, and Rick Wilkin, representing VFW Post 9094, informed commissioners that the VFW and the VFW's Ohio charities have donated money to purchase a 2011 Equinox from Jerry Haag Motors for veterans' transportation.
Wilkin presented the check to the commissioners who will, in turn, complete the purchase agreement.
• Highland County Court/Madison Township Judge Robert Judkins and Clerk Ron Coffey discussed a budget shortfall of almost $1,300 for 2010 salaries within the court.
At the July 21 commissioners' meeting, the judge explained that after the city of Greenfield’s decision to re-open its jail, it was required that the court be open for arraignments for two hours, from 8-10 a.m., on Fridays beginning the first week in August.
This would require an additional $1,500 for court expenses through the end of the year, the judge said, adding that the move would be a net savings to the county.
Commissioners said at the time they did not have the authority to increase the budget until the county’s anticipated revenue is realized.
On Nov. 24, commissioners said the county still hasn't reached its anticipated revenues for 2010.
"We haven't hit the $8.3 million in revenue yet," Horst said.
"Bill (Fawley) said it may be the first week of December (when the anticipated revenue is realized)."
“I’m going to open the court for two hours on Fridays,” Judkins said in July. “This will put me at a deficit (for the first time in 27 years), but we can transfer funds from elsewhere.”
At this Wednesday's meeting, commissioners informed the judge that Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley said the funds for court salaries could be transferred from the court's special projects fund to the county's general revenue fund to court salaries, without impacting the general fund.
Wilkin advised the judge and clerk to be sure to transfer sufficient funds for salaries and benefits.
• Tom Meyer and Joe Bernstiel of Industrial First, Inc. informed commissioners this week that the ongoing exterior repairs to the Highland County Courthouse will nor be completed until after the first of the new year, due to weather delays.
• John Zaegle of Muirfield Energy, an independent energy broker, submitted an electric pricing proposal to the county. According to the proposal, the county could save as much as $108,420 or as little as $63,467 over a three-year period.
The potential savings are based on historical usage and may not be reflected in future usage and savings, the proposal said.
Commissioners agreed to send the proposal to Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey for review.
• Dan Cowdrey met with commissioners regarding tree trimming along North Shore Drive near the Highland County Airport. Commissioners asked Cowdrey to proceed as necessary.
In other action, commissioners passed the following resolutions, all by 3-0 votes:
• The authorization of a modification to the Highland County Court Computer Research Fund from Special Projects Fund to Special Projects Fund Transfers Out for $1,521 and a transfer to the General Fund from Special Projects Fund Transfers Out to General Fund for $1,521.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund budget, Municipal Court, from Juror Fees to Witness Fees for $500.
• The authorization of an increase to the Highland County Department of Job & Family Services job classification pay scale for Student Help/College Intern from $8.50/hour to $9/hour, effective immediately through June 30, 2011. The Department of Job and Family Services will utilize student personnel as part-time employees (20-30 hours per week) with
no benefits.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the CAO Housing Rehabilitation budget from Unappropriated funds to Expenses for $9,275. The additional funds are from the CHIP grant.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Victim-Witness Assistance budget from Unappropriated funds to Refunds for $1,639.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the 911 Wireless Personnel fund from Unappropriated funds to Salary Employees for $1,399 and to Insurance for $1 for total additional appropriation of $1,400.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Common Pleas Court budget, from Expenses - Foreign Judge to Supplies for $1,300.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Commissioners, from Professional Services to Salary Employees for $916.26.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Commissioners, from Professional Services to Contracts - Services for $2,500.
• The authorization of a modification to the Rocky Fork Lake Sewer District budget from Repairs to Supplies for $1,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the Engineer's budget from Expenses to Contracts & Services for $900 and from Equipment to Salary Employees for $160.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Maintenance & Operations budget, from Contracts & Repairs to Salary Employees for $323.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund from Commissioners, Professional Services to Maintenance & Operations, Services for $2,342.03 and from Maintenance & Operations, Repairs to Maintenance & Operations, Services for $7,657.97 for a total amount to Maintenance & Operations, Services of $10,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund budget, Municipal Court, from Juror Fees to Witness Fees for $500.
• The authorization of a modification to the DETAC-Co. Treasurer budget as follows: from Other Expense to Salary Employee for $3,300 and to PERS for $300, for a total from Other Expense of $3,600.
The Highland County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution for two part-time positions with the Department of Job and Family Services at their Nov. 24 commission meeting.
Debbie Robbins, executive director of the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services, had requested two part-time positions, up to 30 hours per week for each position, at a rate of $10 per hour, up from $8.50 an hour.
When asked if the positions would be advertised, Robbins responded that both positions would be filled by students from Charlie Gorman's class at Southern State Community College.
The positions were needed to "help relieve the workload and support staffing," Robbins said. She said the JFS department has had one staff member retire in 2010 and another is expected to retire.
"I've had conversations with Charlie Gorman at Southern State and he has students he would recommend. It's of mutual benefit to the students and the agency," Robbins told Commissioners Gary Heaton, Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst.
Heaton then asked how the positions fit in the department's budget.
"We would be fine," Robbins replied.
Horst asked how long the employees would be working, to which Robbins answered, "I wouldn't see them going past June 30. It's a short-term fix. I've heard a 20-percent reduction (in funding) is likely next year."
"How does that affect you?" Heaton asked.
"Another 681 (county residents) will lose unemployment in December," Robbins said. "That will be our biggest hit. Our attitude is 'our doors will be open.'"
Horst noted that "no matter what we've done (with the budget), we have not cut services in Highland County."
Before voting on the resolution, Wilkin asked Robbins if she had considered leaving the pay at $8.50 and adding 2 1/2 positions.
"From what Charlie Gorman said, he has some people who are pretty sharp," Robbins said.
Wilkin then asked, "Would you start them at $10, or would they build up to it?"
"We would start them at $10 an hour," Robbins said.
Commissioners approved the resolution for JFS staffing, but changed the proposed pay rate from $10 an hour to $9 an hour.
In other action:
• Highland County veterans Denver Conley and Richard Kisamore, representing Veterans Services, and Rick Wilkin, representing VFW Post 9094, informed commissioners that the VFW and the VFW's Ohio charities have donated money to purchase a 2011 Equinox from Jerry Haag Motors for veterans' transportation.
Wilkin presented the check to the commissioners who will, in turn, complete the purchase agreement.
• Highland County Court/Madison Township Judge Robert Judkins and Clerk Ron Coffey discussed a budget shortfall of almost $1,300 for 2010 salaries within the court.
At the July 21 commissioners' meeting, the judge explained that after the city of Greenfield’s decision to re-open its jail, it was required that the court be open for arraignments for two hours, from 8-10 a.m., on Fridays beginning the first week in August.
This would require an additional $1,500 for court expenses through the end of the year, the judge said, adding that the move would be a net savings to the county.
Commissioners said at the time they did not have the authority to increase the budget until the county’s anticipated revenue is realized.
On Nov. 24, commissioners said the county still hasn't reached its anticipated revenues for 2010.
"We haven't hit the $8.3 million in revenue yet," Horst said.
"Bill (Fawley) said it may be the first week of December (when the anticipated revenue is realized)."
“I’m going to open the court for two hours on Fridays,” Judkins said in July. “This will put me at a deficit (for the first time in 27 years), but we can transfer funds from elsewhere.”
At this Wednesday's meeting, commissioners informed the judge that Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley said the funds for court salaries could be transferred from the court's special projects fund to the county's general revenue fund to court salaries, without impacting the general fund.
Wilkin advised the judge and clerk to be sure to transfer sufficient funds for salaries and benefits.
• Tom Meyer and Joe Bernstiel of Industrial First, Inc. informed commissioners this week that the ongoing exterior repairs to the Highland County Courthouse will nor be completed until after the first of the new year, due to weather delays.
• John Zaegle of Muirfield Energy, an independent energy broker, submitted an electric pricing proposal to the county. According to the proposal, the county could save as much as $108,420 or as little as $63,467 over a three-year period.
The potential savings are based on historical usage and may not be reflected in future usage and savings, the proposal said.
Commissioners agreed to send the proposal to Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey for review.
• Dan Cowdrey met with commissioners regarding tree trimming along North Shore Drive near the Highland County Airport. Commissioners asked Cowdrey to proceed as necessary.
In other action, commissioners passed the following resolutions, all by 3-0 votes:
• The authorization of a modification to the Highland County Court Computer Research Fund from Special Projects Fund to Special Projects Fund Transfers Out for $1,521 and a transfer to the General Fund from Special Projects Fund Transfers Out to General Fund for $1,521.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund budget, Municipal Court, from Juror Fees to Witness Fees for $500.
• The authorization of an increase to the Highland County Department of Job & Family Services job classification pay scale for Student Help/College Intern from $8.50/hour to $9/hour, effective immediately through June 30, 2011. The Department of Job and Family Services will utilize student personnel as part-time employees (20-30 hours per week) with
no benefits.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the CAO Housing Rehabilitation budget from Unappropriated funds to Expenses for $9,275. The additional funds are from the CHIP grant.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Victim-Witness Assistance budget from Unappropriated funds to Refunds for $1,639.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the 911 Wireless Personnel fund from Unappropriated funds to Salary Employees for $1,399 and to Insurance for $1 for total additional appropriation of $1,400.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Common Pleas Court budget, from Expenses - Foreign Judge to Supplies for $1,300.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Commissioners, from Professional Services to Salary Employees for $916.26.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Commissioners, from Professional Services to Contracts - Services for $2,500.
• The authorization of a modification to the Rocky Fork Lake Sewer District budget from Repairs to Supplies for $1,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the Engineer's budget from Expenses to Contracts & Services for $900 and from Equipment to Salary Employees for $160.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, Maintenance & Operations budget, from Contracts & Repairs to Salary Employees for $323.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund from Commissioners, Professional Services to Maintenance & Operations, Services for $2,342.03 and from Maintenance & Operations, Repairs to Maintenance & Operations, Services for $7,657.97 for a total amount to Maintenance & Operations, Services of $10,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund budget, Municipal Court, from Juror Fees to Witness Fees for $500.
• The authorization of a modification to the DETAC-Co. Treasurer budget as follows: from Other Expense to Salary Employee for $3,300 and to PERS for $300, for a total from Other Expense of $3,600.
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