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Commissioners press DJFS for written backup on $2.5M repayment; approve DJFS reorganization and pay restoration
Summary
The Athens County commissioners requested a written accounting of a $2.5 million repayment figure and approved DJFS' fiscal reorganization, a personnel transfer and a motion restoring non‑bargaining staff to 40 hours with a 3% increase (Chmiel opposed the pay restoration).
The Athens County Board of Commissioners on March 17 pressed Job and Family Services Director Jean Demosky for written documentation justifying a referenced $2.5 million repayment figure and approved several personnel and fiscal changes at the agency.
Demosky told commissioners federal funds cannot be used to repay federal funds and said she would follow up with staff to clarify repayment timing and sources. Commissioner Lenny Eliason said he wanted a document “showing how the amount was calculated” before the board takes action; Demosky and staff acknowledged prior materials had been circulated but described them as "not really a report." Eliason said he would ask for the report directly to remove others from the issue if needed.
The board unanimously approved several DJFS items brought by Demosky. They approved Amendment #1 to a DJFS contract with Arise Careers, Inc., adding $4,250 to extend the agreement through March 31, 2027. The board also approved an employee‑requested transfer to Social Service Aide 2 (Transportation) for Julie Sullivan at $22.89 per hour with a March 23, 2026 start date.
Separately, the commissioners approved a DJFS fiscal reorganization that promotes Angela Hayes to Fiscal Manager, moves Lauren Crumb (transcript shows both "Crumb" and later "Crum") into the Fiscal Officer role, identifies Georgi Wolfe as PR Specialist/HRO and retains Tracy McKibben as Accountant 2 with purchasing duties. The reorganization passed by roll call with all three commissioners voting yea.
On a related staffing matter, the board voted to restore non‑bargaining unit employees to 40 hours and grant a 3% pay increase. That motion passed on a roll call of Eliason and Adkins voting yea and Commissioner Chris Chmiel voting no.
Chmiel questioned affordability and the potential impact on repayment obligations and asked for confirmation from fiscal leadership; Demosky said the agency expects to realize savings from prior staffing reductions and agreed to provide supporting documentation. Commissioners also requested that JFS provide a list of measures and indicators—service delivery and customer satisfaction metrics—to monitor operations amid the staffing and fiscal changes.
The board deferred further repayment action pending the written report on the $2.5 million figure.
