DATE: February 9, 2009, 5:00 p.m., County Board Gallery, Baraboo, WI
Members Present: Alexander, Bowers, Fabisiak, Vertein, Dippel, Fordham, Endres, Stoeckmann, Sinklair
Members Excused: None
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Orth, Brattset
Chair Alexander called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law.
Motion by Bowers, seconded by Endres to adopt the agenda. Motion Carried.
Motion by Fordham, seconded by Bowers to approve minutes of the previous meeting. Motion Carried.
Communications:
CWCAC Update: Fordham noted that in December 2008 Community Action has ended the Business Incubator Grant. In addition, Job Service has cut back and one employee has been cut back from part-time work. In addition, CWCAC is looking for a potential six unit housing building in a number of county locations to include: Necedah, or possibly a restaurant in Rock Springs. Additional flood money for Sauk County was received and Community Action has had success raising funds with the holiday train over the Christmas Holiday season. Fordham noted that the Project Chance Manual was sent out and given to a local attorney for consideration of housing options in the area. Next report by Fordham to the Board on CWCAC will occur in May of 2009.
Hope House Training: Brattset distributed a training announcement as a joint training of Hope House and Sauk County Department of Human Services on Shaken Baby and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This will be held on 2/26/09 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. and 2/27/09 from 9:00 a.m. to noon in Room B-30 of the West Square Building. Interested parties should contact Brattset to RSVP.
Business Items:
A. Review and Approval of Monthly Vouchers: Orth distributed the monthly voucher report (see attached). Stoeckmann reported that salaries and benefits were down this month due to the calendar situation and payroll falling on a short month. Administrative costs were increased due to an increase in payment of levy for Family Care required payment. In addition, contracted labor was slightly up this month as well. Community Living and Institution was up due to year end settlements. Income Maintenance was down due to less funerals. Motion by Stoeckmann, seconded by Fabisiak to approve vouchers in the amount of $1,418,237.17. Discussion: Bowers pondered what is the impact of the Clarion Center closing and it was reported to be minimal due to activity going to Mendota, however, this is problematic in a number of cases. Orth noted that it will have an impact to a certain extent. Motion Carried.
B.C.D. W2 Contract: Three contracts were reviewed by Orth. The W2 Consortium contract for $106,812. Motion by Bowers, seconded by Dippel to accept the contract. Motion Carried. The Elder Abuse contract for $21,988. Motion by Fordham, seconded by Bowers to approve the contract. Motion Carried. The Chid Care contract for $50,165. Motion by Endres, seconded by Vertein to approve the contract. Motion Carried.
E. LaCrosse Lakeview - Mississippi Valley Resolution: Orth reviewed the Resolution (see attached). The proposal is to be a commission as opposed to a corporation. There were concerns that the state felt a corporation was opening the door to private businesses, which would then be supplementation of MA. A commission can work together in a combined governmental effort and a subsequent agreement will be signed to that effect. Orth and Alexander went to a meeting that the state indicated they would support a commission. Motion by Fordham, seconded by Endres to approve the Resolution as written. Motion Carried.
F. Re-Appointment of Shell Lea Hainz to the Long Term Support Committee: Orth noted that Shell Lea Hainz is suggested to be a member of the Long Term Support Committee. Motion by Bowers, seconded by Sinklair to appoint Shell Lea Hainz to the Long Term Care Support Committee. Motion Carried.
Department Updates:
A. Annual Report: Orth distributed the annual report (see attached). Orth noted that this was a good year overall and goals were achieved. Fordham indicated that she noticed some numbers went down somewhat. Orth noted that fluctuations from year to year occur naturally.
B. Coordinated Services Team Grant: Orth noted that the $60,000 annual Coordinated Service Team's Grant has ended after five years. Some of the services historically paid for by this grant were flex funds for clients as well as advocacy. At this time, LSS is doing fund raising for flex funds and Orth and Brattset are looking for CCS revenues to potentially fund the advocate.
C. Family Care Management Update: Orth reported that revenues for new staff for Family Care took a while to be generated due to training. This then had difficulty covering the cost in the initial period for these employees. There is a difference of $17,000. Orth noted that discussions with Family Care continue to take place regarding this deficit.
D. Long Term Care District Update: Orth noted that the Long Term Care District projects new numbers, which are less ($250,000 total) than originally anticipated for initial deficit for Sauk and Richland counties. Reserves will cover these losses, but all districts in the state have lost money and the state is in discussion about capitations for 2009 to be a better fit. Fordham noted that due to the state requirement that 1/24 of the wait list can be taken that this has created a situation where less people are taken off the wait list than anticipated and those on the wait list struggle at times spending down to meet eligibility requirements. Although this also causes a situation where fewer are going on than anticipated. Therefore there are less revenues generated regarding participants which affects the capitation. Fordham noted that eventually this will reduce the wait list and will resolve itself, but in the interim it presents projected low revenues. Fordham and Orth both noted that the District is doing a great job in this process.
E. Economic Support Unit Caseloads: Orth distributed a report on Economic Support (see attached). This is a combination of articles written for the Wisconsin Counties Association. Orth noted that there are massive increases in caseloads in Economic Support statewide and that there is great need without increase in allocations. This has created a lot of stress for workers throughout the state and in specific at Sauk County Department of Human Services. In addition, due to the increased caseloads there is an increased level of complaints about services. There was a brief discussion about the state taking over programs in Milwaukee County, but this is a problem throughout the state and in most counties such as Sauk, there is a continuing discussion with Wisconsin Counties Association to put it as a high priority and continue dialogue with the state. Orth noted that there will be continued updates as this workload is discussed on a statewide level.
The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
Motion by Bowers, seconded by Sinklair to adjourn. Motion Carried.
Bev Vertein