By MaryHelen Swanson

Since issues arose in the Chisago County Health and Human Services department that have placed the state's eagle eye on the financial operations of the department, director Mary Sheehan has decided to make some important changes.

So, she has reorganized the department.

Last week Sheehan, who has only been with the county since last summer, started the changeover by getting the board's approval to create the position of Director of Finance and Operations.

Most recently, the state's audit of Chisago County's HHS department uncovered some things that need careful scrutiny.

With this new position, Sheehan told the county commissioners, she anticipates the department will be in better position when state auditors arrive next time.

And she expects that when they do, there will be no surprises for the county board or for her.

Sheehan has prepared a new organizational chart showing how the Director of Finance and Operations falls directly under her as HHS director.

Besides finance and operations, the new position will also be over Social Service Administration Aide, Contract Management and Oversight, and Developmental Disabilities. It will oversee millions of dollars.

Two other directors falling immediately under Sheehan are Social Services Director and Public Health Director.

Previously, Sheehan had talked about a "planner" position, but this most recent chart did not include that position.

Sheehan also spoke briefly about an account tech position, but was not asking for it at this time.

It was at this Dec. 6 board meeting that she told the commissioners she had, at last, finalized the department's budget.

The board's approval for the new position was unanimous.

In other business, the county board:

ï Learned that final action on the revised Parks & Trails Land Acquisition and Development Funding policy will take place at a 6:30 p.m. public hearing on Feb. 7. The policy had been reviewed Nov. 28 by the county's Township Officers Association who endorsed it.

ï Set 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 as the date for a public hearing on the final draft of the county's revised comprehensive plan.

ï Agreed to supply letters of support for the "Partners for a Drug-free Chisago County" program.

ï Approved a number of personnel requests including: two dispatchers for the Sheriff's Department, due to unsuccessful completion of probation by two employees; a replacement jailer, for the same reasons; another jailer position due to a promotion, a jail sergeant, due to a voluntary resignation; a dispatcher for the Heartland Express due to resignation and a MFIP social worker, a new position previously contracted for through Pine Technical College. The cost will be the same as the contract cost.