Aug 21, 2009 6 min read

WAYNESBURG – As the state budget impasse continues to cause major financial concerns for all 67 counties across Pennsylvania, the Greene County commissioners Thursday addressed a number of budget issues and accepted a proposal for a loan that will help the county’s human services department. The commissioners distributed a press release two weeks ago announcing that the county was facing difficult economic decisions – mostly within the human services department – as a result of the budget impasse. The state has been without a budget since July 1 and has not released any money for state-funded programs. In Greene County, approximately 50 percent of the county’s programs and services are funded by state dollars, leaving more than 60 human services providers without pay.

The urgency of the press release was heard loud and clear during the commissioners’ meetings Wednesday and Thursday, as officials announced that the county has imposed a hiring freeze, has begun laying off a number of county employees and is intending to borrow money to help the county stay afloat financially.

In fact, beginning Friday, as many as six part-time county employees are expected to be laid off and four grant-funded positions are being eliminated. And until the budget is passed, the county should expect more layoffs in different county departments as early as next month. However, many employees will be able to return to their jobs once the budget is passed, officials said.

Commission Chairwoman Pam Snyder provided a grim outlook on the county’s situation Wednesday, calling the layoffs “unfortunate” and stressing that although the county was doing “everything possible” to stay afloat, the budget crisis was causing serious problems.

“Each day that passes without a budget puts a heavier burden on our county,” she said. “But we cannot afford to shut down programs offered by our human services department – such as Children and Youth, transportation, and so on – that are needed by our residents. We cannot put our children, families and seniors at risk.”

In an effort to help the county’s budget concerns, commissioners Thursday accepted a proposal from Community Bank for a Human Services Department Tax Anticipation Loan totaling up to $1.2 million.

Snyder said the loan, which would have to be repaid by Dec. 31 at a rate of 1.9 percent, will be primarily used to help the human services department. However, she stressed that the loan would most likely only assist the county through the end of September, so if the state budget crisis continues, the county may have to borrow more money.

In the press release, the commissioners announced that until the budget impasse is resolved and funding is restored, the county has informed its human services providers that they will not be paid for services rendered after July 1. Most of the human services providers are non-profits.

According to Karen Bennett, human services administrator, counties typically receive advance payments for its human services programs, something that has yet to happen this fiscal year. The county is also awaiting reimbursement for last fiscal year’s expenses.

With a stoppage in state money, officials said the county has also seen an increase in the number of requests for human services. Drug and Alcohol Services has experienced an increase in the number of referrals, and Children and Youth Services has received more calls about parents with drug-related issues or problems finding housing, both of which may lead to an increased need for out-of-home child placements, according to the press release.

Snyder stressed that even after a final state budget is passed, the county’s spending on state-mandated programs may not be reimbursed for months, and if the final budget reduces or eliminates funding for programs, the county will be left with expenses it cannot recoup.

Also being affected by the budget issue is the county’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program, which provides trips to and from medical appointments or for authorized medical services to consumers who qualify for medical assistance.

Bennett announced Thursday that beginning Monday, Aug. 24, the county transportation services program will reduce out-of-county trips and office hours, in an effort to contain costs in light of the state budget impasse.

All changes are temporary and will only be in effect until a state budget is passed and money is made available to the county’s program, Bennett said.

Previously, trips to Washington County ran Monday through Friday; Pittsburgh trips ran every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and trips to Fayette County and Morgantown, W.Va., ran every Tuesday and Thursday.

Trips to Pittsburgh have been reduced to only Mondays and Wednesdays. The appointment times must be between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and include only medical facilities in and around Pittsburgh hospitals.

Effective Monday, Washington County trips will now only be offered every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for medical appointments between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fayette County trips will remain on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for medical appointments only. Trips to Morgantown will only be provided for urgent care.

Also starting Monday, office hours will change to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, although drivers will continue to work their regular hours. Calls to schedule appointments must be made no later than noon on the day before a requested ride, and before noon on a Friday if the requested trip day is a Monday.

For customers who do not ride the buses but qualify for MATP mileage reimbursement, payments will be delayed until a state budget is passed and the county receives its MATP funds. MATP mileage reimbursement consumers can choose to be paid now at a lesser rate through the county assistance office, or wait until a budget has been passed. The MATP reimbursement rate is 27 cents per mile, while the CAO rate is 12 cents per mile. Reimbursement clients may not switch to riding the transportation buses.

Funding for the program is provided by the county commissioners and the state’s Department of Aging, Department of Public Welfare and Department of Transportation’s Shared-Ride Program.

For more information or questions about program changes, call the county transportation office at 724-627-6778 or toll-free at 1-877-360-7433.