Senate Human Services Committee Hears About Social Services Redesign

Social Service redesign is likely the most significant and far-reaching piece of legislation to be considered this Session and the vehicle supporting that change was introduced to the Senate Human Services Committee Monday. This committee is very familiar with this topic. Many of them last session approved the plan to shift the remaining cost of social services from counties to the state as a method to provide property tax relief. Department of Human Services Director, Chris Jones provided an in-depth look at the detailed work and study that has been done the last year and a half. He said the focus of the study has been looking at a system that can improve the process across the entire system, improve culture and remove barriers to those who need services. He stressed that the redesign plan calls for no reduction in access points.
The most dramatic changes SB2124 makes is creating 19 zones. Each zone would have a zone director, who would be a state employee. There are approximately 1,000 FTE’s in the county social service system. Under the proposed plan the state would have optional authority to move up to 200 county FTE’s to the state. Jones stated that no staff would lose employment and there would be no salary reductions, however roles could change.
“North Dakota has some inefficiencies on how human services is being delivered. Only nine states have a county-administered social service system. Surrounding states have been state administered for quite some time,” said Jones. “The current structure is the greatest barrier. The redesign proposal will allow for collaboration collectively across the state, allow for resources to be shared and eliminate any geographical or political barriers that exist.”

North Dakota Association of Counties Executive Director Terry Traynor testified in support of the

bill with some suggested changes. “Our Association is fully in support of the continuation of state funding for the delivery of county social services. This has proven to be a much more equitable means of taxpayer support of these vital services to our citizens.” Traynor explained how counties that have established multi-county districts have found efficiencies. Currently 17 counties share services of some kind. “By taking away the challenges that disparate property tax bases pose for collaboration, the Legislature has encouraged multi-county districts without a mandate.”

He explained that collectively counties have concerns with a few aspects of the plan as proposed. “We are not in support of an aggressive timetable of forced consolidation. While it is recognized that a timetable prompts action, it is believed that more time should be built into the process for counties to work together.” The plan proposes that all human service zones be approved or established by December 1, 2019. The local oversight of social services is another concern. This bill proposes that the multi-county zone administrators become state employees but provide oversight over locally employed staff. “Our Association believes this to be problematic in the process of hiring, disciplining, staff allocation, and salary decisions. Commissioners are also concerned that the role of the ‘zone board’ becomes diminished when they have no direct control over the individual responsible for ensuring adequate service delivery at the local level.”
Kim Jacobson, director of Agassiz Valley Social Service testified as well in support for the bill but

outlined several potential amendments identified by the county directors. The timeline was a top concern along with the governance structure of the zone board and the zone administrator. She called the timeline “impossible”.
Jacobson also recognized the early success of pilot projects where several counties are collaborating on specific services. “We have been able to respond more quickly to families in need and have been able to focus on the cases where families are in greatest need. We have created administrative efficiencies, shared staff, shared resources, shared supervision all with the intent of improving services to clients. The next step is to scale the pilot to expand to more areas and ultimately statewide.”

Williams County HR Director Helen Askim testified to the concerns of a divided state/county management structure and Dunn County Commissioner Robert Kleeman explained the challenges faced in large rural counties.

NDACo along with the Social Service Directors are committed to working with the committee as they review the recommendations brought forward by both groups.


The fiscal note associated with SB 2124 of $182.3 will support transition to the new model of human service zones. These funds are currently already in the Social Service fund.

Links to the testimony provided on SB 2124 can be found by following this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LqNkWb48Ky1a_JOWZUO28irkwqBqi701