JEFFERSON —
The concept of consolidating the county’s Children’s Services Board and Department of Job and Family Services was explored in a meeting Thursday with members of both boards, the organization’s executive directors and the Ashtabula County commissioners.
The meeting was called by the commissioners, who under the Ohio Revised Code would have to approve the merger. The board sees this as an opportune time to explore consolidation because CSB is seeking a new executive director with the resignation of Nick Kerosky.
Kerosky, who today begins his new assignment with Trumbull County’s Children’s Services Board, spent part of his last day on the job with the Ashtabula board, defending it as an autonomous and effective organization. Kerosky said that, in his opinion, there would be no advantages to consolidation and presented commissioners with a list of 10 potential issues.
Commissioners stressed that the discussions were initiated out of an interest in creating more-efficient government. Commissioner Joseph Moroski said Ashtabula County is one of only 20 Ohio counties that have separate DJFS and CSB boards.
“It’s not like we’re plowing new ground here,” Moroski said prior to the meeting. “It’s the way the state is encouraging counties to move forward.”
“It would be nice to be able to do this at your own pace rather than be forced,” added Commissioner Peggy Carlo.
Carlo told the boards and their directors that “we have to operate more efficiently” and said the board would be “remiss … if we did not look at this.” She promised transparency throughout the process and the involvement of both boards as study and discussion move forward. Commissioners stressed that no deadline has been set for deciding.
While there have been instances of commissioners forcing consolidations, Kerosky said they occurred in cases where either the boards were weak or had issues. That’s not the case in Ashtabula County, however, and Kerosky said it would be “without precedent” for commissioners to merge two effective boards.
Many of the issues he raised deal with the impact consolidation would have on the agency’s effectiveness and funding. Kerosky pointed out that levy money received by CSB could not be used for DJFS activities and that combining the two could jeopardize CSB’s good standing with voters.
“People will not support tax increases for welfare,” Kerosky stated, referring to the public perception of DJFS. “The county would stand to lose $3.1 million a year in levy funds.”
If the boards were consolidated, there would be just one director with a manager overseeing the CSB side of the operation. The CSB board would become an advisory board only.
Ed Bell, CSB interim director, said the agency’s board members are the decision-makers and their experience and expertise have helped make the agency successful. Further, Bell said the two agencies already work well together and he could not see any benefits to a merger.
Patrick Arcaro, executive director of DJFS, said the benefit would be in economy of scale, although that would not apply to physical consolidation. None of DJFS’ buildings could accommodate the addition of 75 CSB employees. DJFS has been searching for a larger facility that could consolidate its services under one roof. Another issue would be that DJFS employees are represented by a union, while CSB workers are not.
Rumors about the meeting stirred speculation among CSB employees about possible job cuts, fears commissioners and the directors want to allay. Carlo agreed to speak to CSB employees this morning and explain the commissioners’ rationale in suggesting the consolidation.
Local News
Commissioners may merge two social service agencies
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
