Ash County approves DSS investigator reclassification as disaster recovery continues

Ash County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved reclassifying a vacant Department of Social Services (DSS) position to an Income Maintenance Investigator 2 and heard updates on disaster case management and emergency energy assistance following Hurricane Helene.

The change, made on the recommendation of Tracy McMillan, the county’s DSS director, was intended to align the job title and duties with the Office of State Human Resources’ description for investigator work the department now expects the position to perform. McMillan told the board the position is currently vacant and will be posted once the reclassification is final.

McMillan said disaster case management remains active in the county. She reported that, as of December, 23 households had transitioned into alternate housing such as short-term rentals and campers; at the time of her Feb. 17 remarks she said 42 people were living in donated campers. She said case managers had opened 73 cases and had handled…