Carbon County officials are making a long-term investment for fiscal services to hopefully ease some of the burden in its children and youth department.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners approved an agreement with Service Access and Management Inc. of Reading for fiscal consulting from June 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. The cost for the service from June 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 is $314,165. The parties will agree on a new acceptable fee prior to the beginning of a new fiscal year.

Commissioners’ Chairman Michael Sofranko noted that there has been some financial issues within Children and Youth, which is 80% funded through the state and at times is significantly delayed in reimbursements.

He said that the board began looking at ways to help the department, as well as save money for the taxpayers and after looking over everything, the best way forward was contracting out with a fiscal consulting company to handle the fiscal responsibility of that department, which then allows some of the burden to be taken off that office.

The board said there are four positions within the fiscal department however, there have been two vacancies for the last three years and another person had recently left the department.

Sofranko said that the remaining employee will not lose their job, however he could not go into full details at this time due to items still being negotiated.

Commissioner Wayne Nothstein said that the turnover of the department and the required skills needed to effectively manage the fiscal end was always a challenge and could delay reimbursements if not completed correctly.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said this was of no fault to any employee and noted that this will now help stream-line operations to better help that department. He added the money that has been in the general fund for the two vacancies over the years will now help pay the consulting fee.

The board said that SAM Inc. will be able to provide a larger staff and create a bigger network.

Carbon County is already contracted with the consulting company through May 31. That action occurred on March 21.

Prior to that, the board also had a consulting agreement with Kellie Noble of Bethlehem to provide fiscal services to Children and Youth Services through June 30, 2024.

Children and Youth’s annual budget has risen over the years, now reaching $10.5 million for 2024-2025.

Last year, the department investigated approximately 1,800 reports of child neglect and abuse.