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Polk County Social Services Board approves warrants, reviews guardianship policy and SNAP cost shifts
Summary
At its June 16 meeting the Polk County Social Services Board approved meeting minutes and routine financial warrants, noted personnel changes and referrals, and heard presentations on a proposed guardianship policy and SNAP program updates that may shift costs to counties.
The Polk County Social Services Board on June 16 approved the May 19 meeting minutes, adopted the June 16 agenda and authorized multiple warrants and claims presented by county staff.
Chair Joan Lee presided over the session after site visits to the Family Resource Centers in East Grand Forks and Crookston. Commissioner Ross Pape moved to approve the May 19 minutes; Board Member Rani Bhattacharyya seconded the motion, and it passed by unanimous vote of the board.
The board also voted unanimously to adopt the meeting agenda on a motion from Commissioner Pape, seconded by Commissioner Paul Reese.
Vice Chair Warren Strandell moved, and Chair Lee seconded, approval of the Cases and Claims package as presented. The docket included several line items itemized for board approval, among them Administration ($22,673.58), Medicare Part B ($8,318.90), Medical Transportation ($17,402.75) and an identified POS payment of $337,725.18, in addition to multiple smaller warrants for publication and vendor payments. The board adopted the motion by unanimous vote.
Director Karen Warmack reported personnel updates: a probationary appointment for Lisa Boyle, Social Worker (effective June 15, 2026); the resignation of Hannah Thompson, Family Based Services Provider (effective July 10, 2026), with a request to replace the position referred to the County Board; a status change for Eligibility Worker Heaven Thomforde (effective Aug. 17, 2026); and the completion of Christine Erdman’s probationary period (effective June 18, 2026). The director also reviewed the current vacant positions and the employee leave status report.
Social Services Supervisor Marni Kelly presented Polk County Social Services’ proposed Guardianship Policy and Guidelines. The policy sets out how guardianship services would be initiated for county clients, eligibility parameters and payment limits for county-authorized guardianship services; the board referred the policy to the County Board for further consideration.
Director Warmack and LeAnn Holte, Financial Assistance Supervisor II, briefed the board on SNAP program updates, including discussion of "SNAP cost shifts to counties in Minnesota," noting that changes under discussion could increase county administrative or payment responsibilities. No formal action on SNAP policy was taken; the briefing was provided for board awareness and potential follow-up.
The meeting record shows the board conducted site tours in the morning, recessed for travel, and reconvened in the afternoon at the Polk County Board Room. The meeting minutes and the presented materials were accepted into the record; the board took no additional formal policy votes at this session beyond the approvals and referrals noted above.
The board adjourned at 2:22 p.m.; the guardianship policy and the personnel replacement request will be considered by the County Board on June 16, 2026.
