AUBURN - The Cayuga County Health and Human Services Committee, along with the Community Service Board, Thursday continued its discussion of filling the director of mental health position as well as the director of the community service board vacancy.
The community service board put together a list of pros and cons with regard to hiring one or two people to fill the positions.
Linda Albrecht, chairperson of the board, presented the list to the health and human services committee.
Some of the concerns of having one person doing both jobs included the idea that there is too much work for one individual; the conflict of interest because the director of the community service board would oversee themself in the director of mental health position and the idea that the person would have to answer to the community service board and to the county.
On the other hand, if the positions are filled by two people, it would cost more. Also, the two people would have to effectively communicate with each other and with the community service board, as well as the county.
“Our priority is the clinic,” Albrecht said. “We know that we need somebody in there to do a good job with that clinic as soon as possible. We have not decided yet whether we think it's a good idea to have one person or two persons.”
As of Thursday night, no consensus had been reached between the community service board and the health and human services committee. And although the need to fill the position is critical, no names will be brought to the Legislature this month, Albrecht said.
During the discussion, County Manager Wayne Allen asked how this position would be characterized.
“Are you going to consider this individual an employee or are you going to consider them something other than employee only answerable to the community service board?” Allen asked the board. “I just want to make sure that there's no confusion ... we need to clean that conflict up.”
The community service board is appointed by the county and it is the board's obligation to ensure that its director does not take advantage of the position, Albrecht said.
“Our biggest concern is the quality of services to the consumers and we are concerned with the county's part in that,” Albrecht said.
Both groups are looking to have the positions filled by an interim employee for a period of six months. Legislator Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn, is in favor of having two people fill the positions.
“I think this is the perfect opportunity to see how things would work,” he said.
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
Linda Albrecht, chairperson of the board, presented the list to the health and human services committee.
Some of the concerns of having one person doing both jobs included the idea that there is too much work for one individual; the conflict of interest because the director of the community service board would oversee themself in the director of mental health position and the idea that the person would have to answer to the community service board and to the county.
On the other hand, if the positions are filled by two people, it would cost more. Also, the two people would have to effectively communicate with each other and with the community service board, as well as the county.
“Our priority is the clinic,” Albrecht said. “We know that we need somebody in there to do a good job with that clinic as soon as possible. We have not decided yet whether we think it's a good idea to have one person or two persons.”
As of Thursday night, no consensus had been reached between the community service board and the health and human services committee. And although the need to fill the position is critical, no names will be brought to the Legislature this month, Albrecht said.
During the discussion, County Manager Wayne Allen asked how this position would be characterized.
“Are you going to consider this individual an employee or are you going to consider them something other than employee only answerable to the community service board?” Allen asked the board. “I just want to make sure that there's no confusion ... we need to clean that conflict up.”
The community service board is appointed by the county and it is the board's obligation to ensure that its director does not take advantage of the position, Albrecht said.
“Our biggest concern is the quality of services to the consumers and we are concerned with the county's part in that,” Albrecht said.
Both groups are looking to have the positions filled by an interim employee for a period of six months. Legislator Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn, is in favor of having two people fill the positions.
“I think this is the perfect opportunity to see how things would work,” he said.
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
