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Djfs director warns of large, unresolved state repayment; Board presses for clarity as agency plans layoffs, hires and work‑program spending
Summary
Athens County Job & Family Services staff reported an unresolved state repayment that could total millions and force long‑term fiscal action; the Board pressed for a firm number and timeline while approving a $292,286.60 contract, a new hire and accepting a $375,000 GRIT award for SNAP work activities.
Job & Family Services Director Jean Demosky told the Athens County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 that the agency faces an unresolved repayment demand from the state that staff and commissioners described as potentially large and materially impactful.
Demosky summarized operational items — an Intelligent Document Processing pilot, exploration of Medicaid‑only vehicle leasing, and plans for a Back‑to‑School Bash — but the discussion centered on the state repayment number. Commissioners and staff referenced an initial figure of about $2.5 million and additional adjustments that could add roughly $800,000, though Demosky said no firm repayment amount or schedule has been provided. Commissioner Chris Chmiel urged that the county obtain a clear timetable and final number from the state before committing to internal personnel actions.
The Board voted to send direct inquiries to state contacts and directed staff to press for: (1) a firm repayment amount, (2) repayment period/terms, and (3) when normal draws may resume. Commissioners flagged potential long‑term consequences and asked for transparent planning before any layoffs are considered.
Despite the uncertainty, the Board approved an Original Contract between DJFS and the Athens County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division, valued at $292,286.60 for the 2026 calendar year; the Board also authorized hiring Richard Shreves as a Social Service Aide 2 at $21.79 per hour with a Feb. 16 start date. Demosky reported a confirmed GRIT award of $375,000 for work‑activities to support SNAP participants and outlined plans to use micro‑credentials and OhioMeansJobs delivery to meet federal work‑activity documentation requirements.
The Board entered an executive session at 9:59 to discuss employment matters and returned at 10:09. Commissioners repeated that personnel decisions should await clearer guidance from the state regarding the repayment obligation.
