Public Hearing On Proposed Civil Service Rule Adjustments - Opioid Settlement Funds Dispersed

DELHI - Delaware County Supervisors set a public hearing for Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. at 111 Main Street directly preceding the regular monthly meeting. The hearing was scheduled to receive public comments on proposed changes to the County's civil service rules, which outline procedures for the local administration of state and federal Civil Service Laws. The rules affect not only county agencies but also all local governments, schools, the Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Sidney Memorial Library.

Updates have been proposed by the state and federal governments, said Personnel Officer Carrara Knoetgen. Changes include additions to title classifications and a revision to definitions in Rule 1 to comply with NYS Civil Service Model Rules.

In a not-pre-filed resolution, supervisors approved revisions to the New York Tax Law. Budget Director Arthur Merrill said the revisions were sent by the state. "Fress off the press," he said. The adjustments were minor language changes, reported Merrill. The resolution can be found on the county website at delcony.us.

Opioid Settlement

In other business, the county was awarded another $668,135 in Opioid Settlement Funds. The funds are part of New York Attorney General Letitia James' 'HealNY' initiative that is set to deliver $26.7 million to the Southern Tier to combat the opioid epidemic. Funds come from the March 2019 lawsuit against various manufacturers and distributors - Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, American Bergen, and Endo - responsible for the 'opioid crisis.'

An advisory board was established to determine how funds should be allocated. The following allocations were approved:

Stamford Wellness Center will receive % $50,000 to hire per-diem counselors for low-cost mental health counseling.

Funds totaling $21,250 will be allocated for one year of maintenance costs for DELcovery, a media application that provides users with access to supportive services.

The Delaware County Behavioral Health Department will be allocated $17,780.50. Costs will be used to support nine staff members attending the Harvard Addiction Conference in Massachusetts, and four staff members attending virtually. The department was further awarded $5,265 to purchase phlebotomy supplies.

In other business

The Public Health Department was awarded a grant of $8,700 to support the development of the Delaware County Community Health Assessment, which identifies key health needs in the county. Funds will also be used to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan.

The Office of the Aging was granted $5,858 for fall prevention and Stay Healthy wellness programs, and $7,482 for the Tai Chi for Arthritis program. The office was further awarded $7,830 for the Food Box Distribution Project, which serves the older population. All grants were provided by the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The O'Connor Foundation provided the county with a $14,945 grant to increase the number of certified lifeguards in the county.

Funds totaling $40,000 were transferred from the contingency account for anticipated legal expenses related to the Personnel Office.

Bills accrued for those deemed incapacitated to participate in criminal defense proceedings were paid, totaling $65,696 for one month.

Roughly $5,942,668 in monthly bills were paid.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 1 p.m.