InÝguest editorials lastÝyear,ÝI criticized the Chisago County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal practices that were unfair to taxpayers and to other county employees. I would now like to inform my constituents of some positive steps we have taken to remedy these concerns.

On Wednesday, April 26, I joined the County Board in a unanimous vote to hire Mary Sheehan as the new Chisago County Director of HHS. Ms. Sheehan will resign her post as Director of the Community and Family Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Health, where she successfully managed an annual budget of $80 million.

The appointment of Ms. Sheehan follows the resignation of former HHS Director David Sainio last year and the resignation of an HHS planner earlier thisÝmonth. Without overlooking the contribution these men made toÝthe health and welfare of our citizens, I wholeheartedly support the hiring of Ms. Sheehan. Her leadership will provide a fresh start for what county administration has called a troubled department.

In her interview, Ms. Sheehan assured the board of her commitment and ability to serve constituents and save tax dollars at the same time. In public comments last year, I called upon the County Board to change the fiscal management policies of HHS, and by all accounts I believe Ms. Sheehan will do this. I expect her leadership to produce more efficient service to our citizens, and to do so in a fiscally transparent manner.

The HHS budget constitutes approximately half of all Chisago County expenditures. I believe the change in leadership, especially the appointment of Ms. Sheehan, is the first step in restoring fiscal accountability to taxpayers within HHS.

But there is still more to be done. Per current Chisago County policy, all checks issued by HHS are exempt from review by the County Auditor prior to issuance. No other county department enjoys such freedom from scrutiny. I continue to call upon the County Board and HHS to return the issuance of their expenditures over to the County Auditor the same as all other county expenditures, while maintaining the confidentiality required by the nature of some expenditures.

I would like to hear comments from my constituents concerning this issue. Please contact me at: montzka@aol.com orÝ462-4200.

Ben Montzka
Chisago County
Commissioner
Representing the communities of Wyoming, Stacy and a part of Chisago City