[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6471509,"mediaKeyId","5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce","parentId",5777894,"title","Rutherford County DSS staff praise on-site Apex security; board to renegotiate sheriff MOU","audioSeconds",3852,"startMs",173000,"endMs",4025000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce&start=173&end=4025","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce/thumbnail_173000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6471509/Rutherford-County/North-Carolina/Rutherford-County-DSS-staff-praise-on-site-Apex-security-board-to-renegotiate-sheriff-MOU","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471509-678291519ec8b38a0f4bed729976f4bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460005&Signature=Uzh3J9uVYlRFnqxIINbc2c9yrGKxTgPZsORkIdCJmRe6cUDhn~muCU3kmy4Cmd6q~9E3neJVnnAiwu1LgQB1HwxPfshAZuWxcDnTwhCjt4Rhk~NY6KZUMeU67khQ0~u2gdPNRFBxvamZEpu9B4S4SjYAPya7d80yHFqZ3nOvNX6Ybi6RRG57EghAhxj4UsyCkMkOt0zjr4li8nbEWpXUMqYrozCmmZsDX1wIibEih1GfWavWFd4r4MfWE0L99kZ4aCzbzdJiktjN5Ypf9ETBgbG-B-wJR1OBS9uD30I0Q0kBWuOzZRiKnoVnX6GuaPhveatJW6fDrXbt8wlMOx4fgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County","date","2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","article","Rutherford County Department of Social Services employees told the board that two contracted security officers from Apex Security have improved staff safety and day-to-day operations, and the director said the agency will seek renegotiation of the county sheriff's memorandum of understanding so the two contracts do not conflict.

At the meeting, Elaine Connor, a receptionist in the income maintenance unit, said the presence of the officers \"gave us a feeling of security\" and noted officers \"communicate with us daily\" and \"go outside before we leave and sit in the parking lot and watch us exit the building just to make sure everybody's safe.\" Britney Logan, who works in the food and nutrition office, said the officers show \"confidence, pride, and integrity\" and that \"employee safety and well-being has been their top priority since the beginning.\" Heather Wright, income maintenance staff, said having on-site officers created a relationship with staff and provided reassurance where previously there had been incidents and delays responding to safety concerns.

Director Hunt told the board the department holds two separate arrangements: an existing contract with the sheriff's office to deliver civil papers and provide occasional security presence, and a newer contract with Apex to provide a consistent 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. security presence at DSS. Hunt said Apex was brought in after the department logged repeated safety incidents and that the Apex contract was funded by moving an existing, lapsed position's salary rather than adding new recurring county expense. Pam Price, fiscal staff, told the board the county claims roughly half of those contract costs as state-reimbursable in most months.

Board discussion focused on inconsistent language in the sheriff's MOU and operational conflict between the two arrangements. Several board members and staff observed that sheriffs assigned to DSS often must leave to serve papers in the community, which limits their on-site security availability. Hunt said the MOU language is vague in places and that the department will \"go back to the table with the sheriff's office\" to clarify expectations; she invited board members to attend that discussion. Hunt also said the department would obtain guidance from state fiscal partners on the reimbursement rules.

Apex officers who addressed the meeting supported the department's decision to add paid security. Bruce Green, a retired sheriff's deputy working for Apex, said the job \"has been a pleasure\" and that the on-site presence allows officers to \"keep our head on the swivel\" and deter risky behavior. Allen Harden, also a retired deputy with Apex, urged installation of cameras and described practical steps Apex has taken, such as using radios tied to the sheriff's office and running body-camera and iPad systems to review incidents.

Board members did not vote to change either contract at the meeting; they asked staff to arrange follow-up talks with the sheriff's office and with state fiscal partners to clarify language, supervision expectations, and reimbursement. The director said the Apex contract was implemented to address urgent safety concerns and that the department will continue discussions rather than terminate either arrangement immediately.

The board did not set a firm date for a renegotiation but agreed to be available to join staff discussions with Sheriff Elenberg and with Captain Ellis.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rutherford County - Social Services Board on 2025-09-17 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Rutherford County Department of Social Services employees told the board that two contracted security officers from Apex Security have improved staff safety and daily operations, and the director said the agency will seek renegotiation of the county sheriff's memorandum of understanding so the two contracts do not conflict.","taxTitle","Rutherford County, North Carolina","taxId",45173,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471494,"Votes at a glance: Rutherford County DSS board adopts agenda and minutes, postpones rules-of-procedure item",0,44000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce&start=44&end=44","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce/thumbnail_44000.jpg","/articles/6471494/Rutherford-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Rutherford-County-DSS-board-adopts-agenda-and-minutes-postpones-rules-of-procedure-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471494-efa6290d33c41c539888d1109a5c0fed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460005&Signature=fVDomSG4iB5P4JL5LarXbFUaAV-wMWcI7m5Y-KEpVxObNEjA4oRJ3~BtgesKRGWrgvqxg1o5NafIwRDB23~StKOpUY16681-LD-E4B4anrzkuCbDGqU7-OFfva9U6scxL9BMzRiwgJO1Em7t7rzCvQRl-Zg20d~lS2GD-yPsbrEV5~uRP-aEtAzxnwH6pJHIwLrU932tGCdyp7PgQ9mMbPIaSS1d~B63uD9b2hBh4ERYuBEt0~RaZr-ecUwclsJPvzGyV~~utuC43R7Vuxzgo5xDxrz28t4FgxPucC00KE0d85Kcyf7YfpOv3ew4KBWH0Q1wog~05rFplTpp9gKkbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the meeting the board approved several routine items by voice vote.

A board member moved to remove and postpone the agenda item described as \"proposed rules of procedure\" after the director said the office had received additional legal information; the motion carried by voice vote. A motion to accept the amended agenda passed by voice vote. Later the board voted to adopt the minutes from the prior meeting by voice vote. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; all recorded votes were taken by voice and were announced as \"Aye.\" The board did not take formal recorded votes on ordinances, resolutions or contracts at this meeting.

","The board voted to remove and postpone one agenda item (proposed rules of procedure), approved the meeting agenda and adopted minutes from the prior meeting; all routine motions were approved by voice vote.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471501,"Rutherford County DSS financial report: temporary salaries and legal services drive current variances",266,1471000,1737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce&start=1471&end=1737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","/articles/6471501/Rutherford-County/North-Carolina/Rutherford-County-DSS-financial-report-temporary-salaries-and-legal-services-drive-current-variances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471501-356de090b494c5e132856ec370504138/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460005&Signature=i38v1fTD5jj0p2sa~qdbC3XnLdowqJrk4jFhYIQ0HPmMYGXJiJfUjZH4FLDsePIqhmq96dm6127co38uMEAkHtjmD7j6IqBwbnWV~OjVqMBE0I25eV2~CGvXCNZg0IhzEq0J~NNSEaifyCP4yV4W1tyMZIvy03wXKreFFAvqwLoXzJm0WnCLSE76cZulwHx4l1aIJ1foE22lwgJGonXk3LfsWoBbC6X~oRmMmGq2KZudV6y5ovRiP8KCknHg7z1OOKOKCjvWv2LuCjnErItAlXa7kKOnMGrnEshL~ZHNj9DUdyZVga7KorNLdNJxBziFNbkZyF4MmiiowTcKB~v8kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pam Price, fiscal staff, reviewed Rutherford County DSS's financial report for the two months ended Aug. 31, 2025, and highlighted several lines driving variance from budget.

Price told the board the county contribution for administrative expenses was at 13.52% of budget, about 3.15 percentage points under target, while the contribution for programs was 9.06%, 7.61 points under budget. The DSS fund overall was shown at 16.39%, roughly 0.28 percentage points under budget.

Price explained several specific lines: the salaries-overtime line contains payments for staff \"sitting with children\" and totaled $5,703.57 for the two-month period; holiday pay accounted for a small portion (one holiday this year). The temporary-salaries line (used to pay contract workers) was shown at 30% and is over budget; Price said the department is using lapsed regular-salary funding (about $100,000 estimated in the meeting) to cover some temporary costs. The agency reported the professional-services (legal) line was over for the month because the department paid invoices for contract attorneys handling conflict cases and termination-of-parental-rights (TPR) matters.

Price also noted a day-sheet software invoice of $7,011.96 that was budgeted at $7,012, and adoption-assistance vendor payments that are over budget for the month but are typically about 75% reimbursed. Foster-care related lines showed higher spending (state foster care, kinship, and IV-E lines trending up) and staff asked the board to monitor those trends.

Price said the fiscal manual requires that positions claimed for state reimbursement be supervised and have an on-site presence; that requirement underpinned discussion of the sheriff MOU and Apex contract earlier in the meeting.

No board votes were taken on fiscal transfers or budgets at the meeting; staff indicated they can move funds between lines if needed within the agency and will continue to report monthly.

","Fiscal staff presented month-to-date figures showing administrative general-fund contributions below budget, temporary salaries over budget due to contract workers, and professional legal services higher because of conflict-case invoices paid this month.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471506,"Four resignations reported at Rutherford County DSS as state CFSP hires begin",362,975000,1337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce&start=975&end=1337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777894-4ba8e7f9dcb5b873d232c9de006d76ce/thumbnail_975000.jpg","/articles/6471506/Rutherford-County/North-Carolina/Four-resignations-reported-at-Rutherford-County-DSS-as-state-CFSP-hires-begin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471506-b126a97e2be93b7023fc659bb412a2ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460005&Signature=l69KUkzM5DT3Cq7-aD0g0ac05um8Y-dGa3ik8cVXnNnQtGQUvECKLTCdbyiJBL3TfdqDih6DKO1J5aVyGVMcZHs7f8M2si4tF7TEYi10JmANhLtNmH0t~0vldtDuHV7VvmKrenCLvK3avWiOPxklqtnwh-LqkqtzPLbNVjYmdPXsP44TUMxQsA3t6EDqiuuenskwmClArVry3jPpWMlxOpAZk0ylqsNmnA5YIwXWgeq5EnhblaAB268Jhw-ssmkV0Huen~UIlysE~kbEMtcNcWvTp9GG~1tx7qrfQeU0SaJMPNv4~87~7uqPmE1JtnhQ6CD36F6lhrRV0BFRMxg4UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutherford County Department of Social Services Director Hunt told the board the department received four resignations in the prior week as a state-managed Child and Family Specialty Plan (CFSP) began hiring staff statewide, and she described steps the department is taking to sustain services.

\"We have had this week within the last we've had 4 resignations this week,\" Director Hunt said. She told the board the CFSP contractor, described in the meeting as Elevance/Healthy Blue (Healthy Blue Together), is hiring roughly 400 workers across seven regions and in some cases offering salaries \"$15,000 to $20,000 more\" and sign-on bonuses, which has drawn experienced child-welfare staff away.

Hunt said the CFSP is a state-managed initiative intended to provide additional services and funding for foster and adoptive children with mental-health needs; the department's staff described the pay differential and the state umbrella status of the program as key drivers of the departures. Hunt said she had raised concerns with state partners about the timing of the program and the department's responsibilities for remaining adoption and foster-care work while the CFSP assumes some functions.

To maintain operations, the department increased the use of contract workers who already hold required pre-service training. Fiscal staff and the director said the department now relies on a sizeable pool of contract employees (estimated in the meeting at about 10\u0010 to 20 people) to cover casework and to respond to vacancies. Hunt said one internal position was repurposed to fund the Apex security contract without adding net recurring county payroll cost.

Board members asked about recruiting and retention efforts. Staff said Rutherford County DSS had recently begun using Indeed and reinstating hiring signs, was pursuing word-of-mouth outreach and working with the state's workforce development team and universities to recruit candidates and interns; staff estimated roughly three interns since 2022 had converted to hires in Rutherford County. Hunt said the department plans to continue exit interviews to gather feedback from departing staff.

The board did not take formal action on personnel policy at the meeting. Several members expressed concern about the potential for state-level program changes to erode county services if local recruitment and retention do not keep pace.

","Director Hunt told the board the department experienced four resignations in one week linked to a state child-and-family specialty plan (CFSP) hiring initiative; staff said the state program offers higher pay and sign-on bonuses and the department has increased contract staffing to maintain services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rutherford County DSS staff praise on-site Apex security; board to renegotiate sheriff MOU

Votes at a glance: Rutherford County DSS board adopts agenda and minutes, postpones rules-of-procedure item

Rutherford County DSS financial report: temporary salaries and legal services drive current variances

Four resignations reported at Rutherford County DSS as state CFSP hires begin