Feds "hammering" local Family Services

By Sara QuamThe county is waiting for changes in federal funding that could alter how Family Services does business.Rock County Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said the House and Senate both passed bills that "are hammering Human Services pretty hard."Because of the Iraq war and costs associated with the hurricanes, the federal government is planning cuts.The cuts that will hit Rock County Family Services will be most felt in the case management revenues, where the federal government pays the county for social workers assisting vulnerable children and adults.In 2004, that work earned Rock County $125,879, and has earned $91,698 through September of this year.Ehlers said federal mandates for programming will likely stay in place, even without the funds to back up the work the mandates require."Mandates are a good thing for the protection of our vulnerable citizens, but you can see the hole it puts in our budget," Ehlers said.Social workers’ case management areas include child welfare, mental health, vulnerable adult/developmental disability, developmental disabilities waivers and adult and elderly cases, which include home medical services.Also at risk are Medical Assistance reimbursement for chemical dependency and mental health treatment, administrative support for child support collection and food support benefits.Ehlers also reported that out-of-home placements are over budget by $127,000 so far this year. This item is difficult to forecast because one large family with children in placement can drastically change the budget for an entire year.Out-of-home placement includes treatment facilities and foster care for children who have to be taken from their homes for their own or their family’s well being.The budget for 2005 allowed for $250,848 to be spent on out-of-home placements, but through November the county spent $377,090.In other business Tuesday, Rock County Commissioners:
Accepted the retirement of Gerrit Kuipers, an assistant county engineer with the Rock County Highway Department. Kuipers has been with the department since 1986 and the board said it appreciated his effort and service to the county. The position will be advertised and filled.
Passed a maintenance agreement with the city of Luverne Public Works Department to take care of County State Aid streets within the city limits.The total annual payment depends on work done that the city will bill the county for in an itemized report. The amount cannot exceed $53,438.63.Commissioner Ron Boyenga voted against the motion to approve the agreement.The city will not be reimbursed for street sweeping for special functions, such as Tri-State Band Festival.The streets affected are all or portions of Main Street, Dodge, Blue Mound, Warren, Cedar, Donaldson, Edgehill, Barck, Luverne, Lincoln and 131st Street. Charges are based on labor, hours of equipment and materials used.The Luverne City Council also approved the agreement, which is a similar amount that was used in the past.The county gets money from state gas taxes that goes to the municipal streets, and if that fund isn’t used in a year, it goes into the highway construction fund.
Learned that Heartland Express received $400,000 for a new or remodeled bus garage and office space. The county will pay a $100,000 match to get the grant.The Building Committee will meet to find a location and work on plans.oLearned that prisoner medical care is costing the county more than ever. The county is $60,000 over budget, having spent a total of $173,000 as of September. That number includes prisoner board, medical care and transportation and travel.