Commissioners choose county as governing board for consolidated human services, set timeline for director recruitment

The Scotland County Board of Commissioners voted July 7 to make itself the governing board for a consolidated human services structure that will combine elements of the county health department and the department of social services. The board approved the governance option in which an advisory board remains in place while the Board of Commissioners serves as the official governing body; a consolidated director will work with existing directors to coordinate services.

County staff said the change is planned to take effect Nov. 1 and that staffing, pay-grade and reporting arrangements will be developed in coming weeks. The county manager and human-resources staff will use regional salary studies and peer comparisons to set the consolidated director’s grade and salary range; the board discussed that incumbent directors’ longevity could temporarily place them above a newly hired consolidated director on the pay scale.

The board asked staff to begin recruitment and to provide a job description, grade recommendation and implementation plan so a consolidated director could be in place before the Nov. 1 start date. Commissioners discussed that the consolidated director would not replace existing agency duties; rather, the director would coordinate shared functions and identify efficiencies while statutory responsibilities for health and DSS remain with those agencies.

Commissioners approved the motion by voice vote; one commissioner voiced opposition during the roll call.