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Frederick County moves to shore up Social Services staffing; board gives consensus to pay‑range adjustments
Summary
County staff told the board the Department of Social Services had critical vacancies and turnover and proposed salary‑range adjustments that would cost about $130,000 annually; the board gave a consensus to support the changes and asked staff to include long‑term funding options in the next budget.
County staff briefed the Frederick County Board of Supervisors on a staffing crisis in the Department of Social Services (DSS) and sought the board’s support for pay‑range adjustments to stabilize recruitment and retention.
Staff reported the benefits program had been operating without a manager and with vacancies in all four supervisor positions. Management said the department was short approximately 20 positions for benefits work and that employees were leaving for higher pay elsewhere; a salary study showed DSS salaries roughly $10,000 below those in Winchester and other neighboring localities.
To address immediate and ongoing staffing needs, staff proposed adjusting the minimums and ranges for supervisor and comparable positions and making targeted increases for experienced employees. Staff estimated the annualized cost of the package at about $130,000 and said there were sufficient salary savings this year to avoid a supplemental request; next year’s budget will include the sustained cost.
DSS Director Tammy Green described recruitment and retention challenges and the importance of in‑office staff for clients without internet access or who require in‑person help. Supervisors acknowledged the proposal as necessary to avoid fines and service failures if the state finds the department noncompliant; one supervisor said failing to staff the unit could expose the county to a “multi $100,000 fine.”
After questions and discussion, the board recorded a voice consensus to support the staff proposal and asked staff to return during budget season with further detail and potential additional adjustments.
