Agenda - 11-16-15 Reg. Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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004 At this time Social Services Director Brenda Potts presented a report on the USDA threat of withholding funds for FNS (Food Stamp) Administration. Ms. Potts stated that the USDA tolerance rate for the State is 90% for processing FNS applications. The State of North Carolina received an "Advanced Warning Letter" in May 2015 from USDA requiring North Carolina to develop an aggressive Correction Action Plan to achieve and maintain a 95% statewide timeliness rate for the 6 -month period of January — June 2016. For October 2014 — May 2015, North Carolina's timeliness rate was 81.69%. The most recent figures show the statewide rate at around 84.5%, well below the mandated 95%, and even the standard 90% tolerance rate. USDA is saying that North Carolina will have to meet a timeliness rate of 95% for January — June 2015 to avoid loss of Administrative Funding for FNS. These funds pay 50% of the Food Stamp Income Maintenance caseworker's salary. Lee County is meeting the required 95% for processing of applications and is at 100% for the cases being used for the report that goes to USDA regarding the sanction. This helps the statewide percentage but does not prevent Lee County from being sanctioned. The statewide sanction is all or nothing — meaning if there are twenty-five counties unable to turn their program around, the other complying seventy-five will be sanctioned as well, even though they are passing. Using the final figures in the 2014-15 budget to estimate the loss in revenues, Lee County would be looking at losing $432,000.00. Ms. Potts further stated there are other issues of a possible sanction by USDA but that sanction is to withhold $1 million in administrative funds to the State. This is not funds that would normally come down to the counties in the form of an allocation, but in the form of free training. After discussion, Commissioner Reives moved a letter be sent to Lee County's congressional delegates for assistance in this matter. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Oldham, Reives, Sloan, and Smith Nay: None The Chair ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board considered the purchase of three replacement lift vans for COLTS. Senior Services Director Debbie Davidson asked the Board to approve the purchase of three replacement 20' lift equipped vans in the amount of $141,034. The County of Lee Transit System (COLTS) applied to the NC Department of Transportation to purchase the replacement lift vans that have reached the 115,000 replacement requirement as of October 1, 2013 and October 1, 2014. The FY 2015 grant application was approved by Commissioners and funding was included in the FY 2015 budget; however, the vehicles were not available until now. Funds were transferred to the current fiscal year budget for the purchase. The remaining vehicle capital grant application was approved by Commissioners on November 3, 2014, and funds for the purchase are included the current budget. After discussion, Commissioner Oldham moved to approve the purchase of three replacement 20' lift vans for COLTS as presented above. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Oldham, Reives, Sloan, and Smith Nay: None The Chair ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board considered the hiring of a relative of the Sheriff. County Manager John Crumpton stated the Sheriff has asked permission to allow his son to be employed by the Sheriff's Department. North Carolina General Statute §153A-103(1) states that before the Sheriff can employ a person who is a relative by blood or marriage of nearer kinship than first cousin the County Board of Commissioners must give its approval. After discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to approve the request for the Sheriff to hire his son at the Sheriff's Department. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: 3