The Clay County Board of Commissioners approved several staffing and contract actions Dec. 31 aimed at expanding juvenile and social-services capacity.

Juvenile services: Director James O'Donnell requested and the board approved hiring four staff members to operate a new transition program, including a case manager and juvenile counselors. He also received authorization to sign 2025 contracts with Lakeland Mental Health, which requested a 2% rate increase for psychiatrist and psychologist services.

Social services: Quinn Jagger asked to extend a temporary lead worker post for six months to complete training of four new hires; he said federal reimbursements and remaining "healthcare unwinding" funds would cover the cost. The board approved that extension.

MNChoices reassessor: The board approved hiring an additional full-time MNChoices reassessor effective Feb. 3, citing growing reassessment demand, recommended caseloads (15 reassessments per month), average current workloads above that level, and changes to CFSS that increase assessment time. Presenters estimated a reassessment takes about eight hours and an initial assessment 10–15 hours; they said the new position would start with a full caseload and generate net revenue over time.

Office support specialist: The board also approved a new office support specialist position (grade 10 step 1) split 50/50 between child support and social services. Total cost was reported as $72,843, with estimated federal reimbursements reducing the county budget impact to $48,805.

Commissioners discussed caseload pressures, interstate transfer rules for waiver recipients, and the state and federal roles in proposed reassessment-policy changes. All hiring and contract motions passed by voice vote.