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Show Keeping Local Officials In Funding Decisions By LE ANN ALLEN "It is difficult to remove a cushion once it has been made," said County Planner Joe Moore, commenting on Mental Health Director Dr. Russell William's laments on the efforts to keep local elected elect-ed officials in the policy making positions regarding social services. THE ADMINISTRATION of Title 20 funds hasn't been decided definitely, but indications in-dications point to a heavy state organization as many of them have already been hired. Local needs were assessed and priorities established on the amount of money available availa-ble to Davis County. Families in the low incomes such as a family of four making $6,000 would qualify. The amount of $552,000 will be the county's portion of the state's $20 million. THE PROGRAM was developed and submitted to the Wasatch Front. The state plan may or may not have the recommendations included, according to Dr. Williams. "I have been involved since its inception and it appears that the state has said they wanted a partnership with local elected officials. But they should come back for local approval to see if the plan is saying what the local officials wanted." "LOCAL sign-off should be given before approval by the governor," he said. "Being on the direct line I have become very concerned as more money is spent for indirect costs, layers put in for different reasons that do nothing more than monitor or evaluate with no services to the people." "I BECOME concerned when the decision for taxpayers tax-payers money does not involve in-volve local elected officials. They need to be able to say what the people of their city or town need more than anything else." |