Crow Wing County OKs hiring consultant

Crow Wing County approved hiring a consultant to assist with a software purchase for social services.

Susan Beck, community services director, Tuesday told the county board the department budgeted $300,000 from its reserves in 2010 to pay for the Compass Suite software.

The software, through eDocument Resources Inc., is described as having tools for appointment management and tracking, more efficient check-in for clients with a reduced wait time and greater data privacy. It also eliminates a need for a paper copy of documents and copying work. The idea is to enter information once, instead of sending people to multiple areas where the same information is repeated.

Hiring Ron Michaels Consulting Inc. is not expected to cost more than $21,500 with potential lodging fees of $2,500. The consultant will negotiate the software's cost and is expected to speed up the county's implementation of the software.

The board was told the software may save up to two hours a day for case manager's time, creating an ability to take on more work while still improving morale.

Once the software is established for income maintenance, additional areas in social services may be added in the future, such as child support.

Beck said the community service goal is to use the software to follow the county's plan to have one intake point for community services clients for greater efficiency.

Commissioner Paul Thiede said he was concerned about people who may have come in for one program and then they are offered a smorgasbord of services. He said at one time there was a stigma in seeking social services and he has fond memories of dealing with both bleeding heart liberals and hard rock conservatives on those issues.

Thiede told the social services staff members that he probably differed from them in policy views on social services. Thiede said he was concerned people would be offered a catalog of services they qualify for but may not be asking for when they came in - all under the guise of case management.

Beck said in income maintenance people are already informed of other services they may qualify for. Thiede said he was concerned the case management would refine that data.

Tim Houle, administrator, said it's not uncommon to have people come in to the county offices and be unaware of what they do qualify for or even what programs exist.

Dale Parks, income maintenance supervisor, said on the flip side to Thiede's concern, the software will allow the county to have a greater ability to catch people who are double dipping such as social services and health services. Parks said it also would reduce cost.

"Good sell," said Commissioner Phil Trusty.

The county also has the potential for a 50 percent reimbursement from the federal government in the income maintenance area and an option for up to 65 percent reimbursement in child support.

After other counties do the research and development work with the software, Houle said Crow Wing County will be able to take advantage of the software's uses, potentially including other departments such as the jail and probation.

In other business, the county:

Heard a presentation by John Overland, Board of Water and Soil Resources, following an audit of Wetland Conservation Act administration.

Overland said in prior years there was disarray in the county's administration and there wasn't necessarily a good working relationship with DNR enforcement. But Overland said in a short period of time things are on a much more positive track. He said BWSR will continue to work with the county with training and customized options to maintain that course.

Approved a resolution limiting recreational motorized use on forest roads and access routes on public land administrated by the county during the firearms deer hunting season. The resolution is designed for safety and to minimize potential conflicts between recreational riders and deer hunters.

Deer hunters are still able to operate an off-highway vehicle following state law.

Scheduled a public hearing at 9:05 a.m. Nov. 24 to consider an off-sale liquor license for Brenda Ikola, Sportsman's, Mission Township.

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.