May 21, 2004 By Christine Haines 2 min read

WASHINGTON – Four positions within the Child Care Information Service are being eliminated in a cost-savings effort by the Washington County Commissioners. Cut from the program were the director’s position, two eligibility specialists and a fiscal technician’s position.

“It’s just a matter of reorganization, to come into conformance with state regulations,” said Commissioner Larry Maggi. “It will save about $35,000 a year.”

Commissioner Bracken Burns said Human Services Director Tim Kimmel will oversee the CCIS program as part of his duties.

Burgettstown resident Harry Sabatasse, who has argued for smaller and less costly government, said the layoffs were not the kind of cost-savings he has wanted to see in the county.

“This is not my feeling on downsizing government. You don’t lay off 10 people eating hotdogs so one person can eat steak,” Sabatasse said.

He also criticized the commissioners for giving themselves a pay raise.

Commissioner Diana Irey said under the law, the county doesn’t need to provide any direct funding for the CCIS program, but it has chosen to operate it.

“The CCIS is a state program. We don’t have to run that program at all,” Irey said.

She also noted that the pay raises were for all elected officials in the county, not just for the commissioners, and it can still be reconsidered by the commissioners.

According to the commissioners, some of the money saved by the CCIS layoffs will be redirected to services for eligible county families using the service. The county has administered the CCIS for the past 13 years.

The county information and referral desk is also being eliminated, with the duties being transferred to the commissioners’ office. The receptionist currently handling the calls will be moved to the Washington County Health Center to fill a vacancy.