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Residents and union leaders demand action on DFAB backlog during Essex County public comment
Summary
Union leaders and residents urged commissioners to approve overtime funding and investigate staffing shortages in the Division of Family Assistance and Benefits, citing ongoing backlogs, eviction pressures and gaps in legal navigation services.
During public comment at the Oct. 10 Essex County Commissioners meeting, Lisa Maddox Douglas, president of the Public and Bee Supervisors Union, urged the board to approve resolution 22 and the allocation of funds to pay overtime needed to process a backlog of cases at the Division of Family Assistance and Benefits (DFAB). Douglas said the funds requested for overtime in the agenda item are needed to address the backlog and called for county oversight as retirements and resignations persist.
Douglas cited a prior DFAB request earlier in the year for additional funding and said, “we are in dire need of these funds.” She asked commissioners to work with county human-resources leaders to prioritize certifications, promotions and staffing to reduce the backlog.
A resident who identified as a north resident spoke in support and called for a full investigation into DFAB operations, alleging that laptops and phones issued during COVID were not turned on and that Essex County had “an almost 2 year backlog.” The commenter said he had observed a high volume of landlord-tenant eviction cases in local courts and asserted that navigation and legal-aid services were not consistently available to tenants in court.
Commissioners acknowledged the testimony and moved on to agenda business; staff later presented related contract- and shelter-extension items on the consent agenda. The transcript indicates the union’s formal request that the county monitor disbursement of funds and engage with union leadership about staffing and certifications.
