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Health and Human Services: board approves LIHEAP contract, removes two vacant social worker positions; bilingual job description discussed
Summary
Todd County Health and Human Services will administer federal fiscal year 2026 energy assistance locally after the board approved the LIHEAP contract and internal controls documentation; the board also removed two vacant social worker positions from the organizational chart.
The Todd County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s LIHEAP grant contract for federal fiscal year 2026 and accompanying internal controls documentation, and approved removal of two vacant social worker positions from the Health and Human Services organizational chart. The board also reviewed, but did not vote on, a proposal to require bilingual (Spanish) skills for an Administrative Assistant 2 position.
Health and Human Services staff told the board the LIHEAP contract will allow the county to administer energy assistance locally beginning Oct. 1, 2025. Staff said the Minnesota Department of Commerce requires documentation of internal controls and that the county’s internal controls documentation is organized in accordance with the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government. The HHS director said local administration increases availability of assistance to Todd County residents compared with contracting the work out; the board’s finance committee had reviewed program staffing and controls and supported keeping the program in-house.
The board also approved eliminating one budgeted child services social worker position and one adult services social worker position that have remained vacant; staff said the positions have been unfilled long enough that removing them from the organizational chart is appropriate and that any future need would require a separate personnel action.
On a separate personnel matter, HHS presented a proposed revision to the Administrative Assistant 2 job description to change bilingual (Spanish) from a preferred qualification to a required qualification. Staff said the WIC program — where the position is chiefly assigned — has a substantial Spanish‑speaking client base and that requiring bilingual skills improves efficiency and service. Commissioners asked about pay, the long‑term need for a specific language requirement and the process to revert the job description if demographics change; staff said pay grade is expected to remain the same and any future change would return to the board.
Ending: The board approved the LIHEAP contract and removed the two vacant social worker positions. The bilingual job description change will be brought to the board for formal approval at a future meeting after additional review and personnel paperwork.
