The Journal

Sweeping Action, Noble County Commissioners Abolish Department Of Welfare -- An Economy Movement

It Has Been Estimated That Over $1,000.00 Will Be Saved Taxpayers In Noble County

In a move to save the taxpayers of Noble county over $1,000.00 per year, the Noble county commissioners at a special meeting held Dec. 31, passed a resolution rescinding and revoking a former resolution and motion that was intended to establish a county department of welfare.

At that time, the commissioners were under the impression that economy would be promoted in administering and distributing aid to dependent children, aid to needy blind and direct poor relief by combining all three of these departments under a welfare director.

Since its operation, beginning as of March 1, 1946, the commissioners soon discovered that such a program was costing double and they released the figures this week to prove their point.

Commissioners Ray Shriver, H. G. Williams and Charles Rayner then called a special meeting and took immediate action to abolish the new set-up.

According to a statement released today by the board, through their clerk, it has been pointed out that since the county department of welfare has been in operation under a welfare director, economy was thrown out the window and just the opposite resulted.

The commissioners said that in January, 1946 the allowance for aid to dependent children, which was then under control by Probate Judge Otto Poling and chairman of the board of county commissioners, was in the amount of $402.00.

These monthly allowances have gradually increased under the administration of the Welfare Director of the County Welfare Department and in October, 1946, was in the amount of $703.00, a difference of $301.00 over and above that in January of 1946.

In January, 1946 the allowance for aid to needy blind, which was then under the control of the county commissioners was in the amount of $128.00.

These monthly allowances have gradually increased under the administration of the welfare director of the county department of welfare and in November, 1946, was in the amount of $215.00, a difference of $87.00 over and above that in January, 1946.

In January, 1946, the allowance for direct poor relief which was then under the control of the county commissioners and a relief director appointed by them, was in the amount of $213.00.

These monthly allowances have gradually increased under the administration of the welfare director of the county department of welfare and in November, 1946, the allowance was approximately in the amount of $800.00, a difference of approximately $587.00.

A difference of $301.00 for aid to dependent children, $87.00 for aid to needy blind and approximately $587.00 for direct poor relief, making a total difference over and above that in January, 1946, in approximately the amount of $975.00.

Not only have the monthly allowances for the purposes above specified increased, but as of August 1, 1946, the salaries of the employees of the county department of welfare have been increased in the amount of $25.00 per month, said the commissioners.

It has been decided that the manner in which an attempt was made to create a county department of welfare and for other various reasons, there is a doubt as to whether said county department of welfare was legally established or has legally functioned.

Deeming it to the best interest to the public and the taxpayers of the county, the county commissioners after due consideration decided to rescind the resolution and motion to establish a county department of welfare thereby abolishing said department as it is now functioning and thereby change the administration of aid to dependent children, aid to needy blind and direct poor relief back to the original procedure that existed prior to January 1, 1946.

This action by the commissioners means that only the set-up has been changed and the personnel will continue as in the past.