Some county officials are speculating that Phillip Blount and Associates backed away from evaluating the county’s senior services program because the firm feels the issue might become too controversial.
In Blount’s place, the county has hired Woodstock business consultant Albie Landwehr.
“The county was unable to reach an agreement with Phillip Blount and Associates,” County Manager Jerry Cooper said, adding that he believes Blount backed out after receiving correspondence from a county resident who was interested in the matter.
Cooper said Landwehr is uniquely qualified to conduct the assessment.
The new contract is for the same amount as the contract with Blount – $15,000 – according to Cooper.
Allegations surfaced late last year that things may not be as they should in regard to staffing, transportation, and atmosphere at Cherokee County Senior Services. At their Dec. 15 meeting, commissioners approved hiring Blount and Associates to conduct an evaluation of the entire program.
Commissioners said they had received many complaints, some operational in nature and some about treatment those who attended the senior facilities may have received.
Tensions were further heightened after a former employee of the senior center attempted to bring a criminal warrant for simple assault against the director, Barbara Dobyne, for allegedly yelling at her in a threatening manner.
Magistrate Court Judge James Drane ruled Dec. 18 that the employee had failed to prove her case against Dobyne and dismissed the request.
On Feb. 1, Phillip Blount and Associates President Phil Blount said, “(The study) is in a broad application of what we do, but we will not be working with Cherokee County on this project.”
Blount would not comment on why an agreement could not be reached.
Cooper said Landwehr will work on organizational and service delivery improvements.
The goal is to ensure effective delivery of services provided by Cherokee County Senior Services, including but not limited to, a review the organizational structure; mission, goals and objectives; effectiveness of organizational policies and procedures and practices; and, leadership, management and supervision.
The evaluation is expected to be completed within 30 to 45 days.
“It’s my understanding (Blount and Associates) backed out, because they felt it might be too controversial,” said Post 4 Commissioner Derek Good. “But, Landwehr is one of the brightest men you’ll ever meet. I know he’ll do an excellent job.”
Good said, as a consultant, Landwehr has gone into small and medium-size companies as a chief executive officer or chief financial officer and revamps firms’ customer delivery, service delivery and personnel.
“I’ve just started on this,” Landwehr said, “I’ll be looking at the issues, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses. I think I can help the county out.”
Landwehr said he has performed evaluations that are similar in nature.
“The general idea is to talk to employees, and their clients, and make sure services that are being provided are what the client wants,” he said. “The ultimate objective is, the county wants to provide the best services available for its senior citizens,” he said
Landwehr said he may also talk to others in the community who may help him with his evaluation, in addition to current employees.
Landwehr will present recommendations to the county on how to improve senior services delivery, which commissioners will have to approve, said Post 1 Commissioner Harry Johnston.
“The impression I have is the original contractor saw it was a controversial area and may have been fearful of being drawn into it,” Johnston said. “Landwehr’s credentials look good, and we need someone from the outside to assist us. I think all of us agree, something needs to be done.”
Post 2 Commissioner Jim Hubbard said he understood that, officially, Blount was unable to meet an agreement using the county’s standard professional services agreement, with the amount of liability insurance a contractor must carry being one of the factors.
“I have every confidence that Mr. Landwehr will assist us in evaluating the mission and effectiveness of our senior center and help us improve the program,” Hubbard said.
County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens deferred comment on the matter to Cooper. Post 3 Commissioner Karen Bosch could not be reached at press time.
