Commissioners Approve CYS Contracts, Hear Results of 2023 FY Audit, and Announce Possible Burn Restrictions

Publisher2 mins agoLast Updated: October 31, 2024

3 minutes read

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN— During their bi-weekly voting session on Thursday morning, the Clinton County Commissioners reviewed the audit results for fiscal year 2023, which revealed no material inaccuracies and reported a fund balance of $19.6 million, including $16 million in unrestricted funds. The commissioners also approved a contract and memorandum of understanding between the county and the Clinton County Children and Youth Services agency. Additionally, Commissioner Jim Russo announced the potential implementation of burn restrictions within the next week. To conclude the meeting, Commissioner Harding stressed the importance of maintaining respect while heading to the polls on Election Day this Tuesday, November 5.

Auditors from Zelenkofske Axelrod, LLC presented the 2023 fiscal year budget results during the meeting.

The first order of business was a presentation of the 2023 audit by Zelenkofske Axelrod, LLC. Two representatives presented the results of the audit and stated that it went well and resulted in an unmodified or “clean” opinion, which is the highest level of assurance.

There were no questioned costs or findings on the federal compliance programs that were reviewed. There was a finding at the financial statement level related to timeliness issues and reconciliations in the treasurer’s department, which the county is aware of and is taking measures to address moving forward. “The board has done a really good job of fiscal prudence,” said one of the auditors from Zelenkofske Axelrod.

The auditors stated that the county’s finances are in good shape, with a strong unrestricted fund balance of $16 million on a $25 million budget.

Next, Commissioner Angela Harding presented a contract between Clinton County and CSI Corporate Security and Investigations, LLC. The contract covers family-finding investigations, location services, and interviews for the Clinton County Children and Youth (CYS) Department.

The contract is effective until June 30, 2025, with a maximum cost of $7,500. Tristan Rock, Assistant Director of Clinton County’s CYS agency, attended the meeting and explained that these services will be used in complex cases where the agency has exhausted all other local resources and abilities to locate individuals and ensure safety.

Tristan Rock, Assistant Director of Clinton County Children and Youth Services (CYS) agency, attended the meeting to discuss a contract for family finding, investigations, location services, and interviews. She also discussed a Memorandum of Understanding and Letter of Intent between the county and CYS for reimbursement for the costs of legal services provided through the agency.

Following this agenda item was the approval of a memorandum of understanding and letter of intent between Clinton County and CYS for partial reimbursement for the costs of legal representation of children, youth, and parents in dependency proceedings. Rock explained that completing these documents allows the agency to secure additional funding from the state for these legal services.

Toward the end of the meeting, Commissioner Jim Russo announced that the county is currently at a high fire risk. He stated that the county is monitoring the fire conditions and will implement a county-wide burn restriction if the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) declares a high fire alert within the next week. “We’re going to follow DCNR protocol, and they are not in a high fire alert yet, but within the next week, that could happen,” he said.

In closing, Commissioner Angela Harding reminded county residents to make a plan to vote on Election Day this coming Tuesday. “I would like to encourage all registered voters to make a plan to vote on Tuesday, November 5. Our polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.,” she said. “Just as importantly, I want to ask that all Clinton County voters proceed with decency and respect. We are all very aware of how tense this election has been, and I want you to remember that when you’re visiting our polls and cast your ballot, our staff and all of the poll workers who spend their entire day as civil servants are our neighbors—our fellow community members; they are Democrat, they are Republican, and they are other, including 11 high school students.”

“I can assure you that Clinton County takes great responsibility in providing an accurate and fair voting process,” Harding continued. “I just ask that all voters that make their way to the polls on Tuesday remember that we are still, at the end of the day, a community, and please take pride in Clinton County and the work that is done here.”

The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Meetings can be attended in person at the Piper Building, 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven, in the 2nd-floor conference room. Meetings are also livestreamed on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page.