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DSS reports year‑end finances, adoption gains and national award
Summary
At its July meeting the Rutherford County Department of Social Services reviewed year-end finances (some lines over budget, overall covered by a recent budget amendment), highlighted adoption outcomes and said the department received an excellence and innovation award from the County Commissioners association.
Pam Price presented the financial report for the period ending June 30 and told the board the department finished the fiscal year with an overall budget utilization of roughly 89.92% for the year. Administrative expenses were reported at about 85.6% of budget while program lines varied: some lines were over budget (professional services, child care administration, drug screenings) but a recent budget amendment and added state funds—particularly for foster-care services—offset the shortfalls.
Price noted adoption assistance was higher than in prior years, reflecting 22 public adoptions and five private adoptions in the previous year, which staff said was a positive outcome for children and families. The board discussed particular line-item overruns and asked staff to reallocate funds within the budget where appropriate; Price said staff would move money between lines to cover overages where permitted.
Director Rachel Hunt announced that the department received an “excellence and innovation” award from the County Commissioners association recognizing work to support foster care. Hunt said the award will be presented at future events and that training slides and mentoring resources would be shared with the board.
The board approved the agenda, accepted minutes and adjourned by voice vote. No binding budget changes were adopted at the meeting; staff were asked to provide additional documentation for some lines and to present comparative turnover data from peer counties in future meetings.
