Board discusses urgent financial aid for residents in need
By SYDNEY KENT
Urgent financial aid for residents in Jefferson Township is once again available through the office of the township trustee. However, that assistance did not come without significant strife among the board.
Jefferson Township Trustee Larry Heckber called an emergency meeting earlier this month to request $12,900 in funds in order to balance the deficit and fund the account. After several hours of conversation — often with great tension between board members and Heckber — the amount was approved.
The board had an apparent disagreement about Heckber’s request.
“I want to borrow 50% of our $25,800 budget for this year,” Heckber explained to the board. “That will carry me over until June when I get the settlement money and I can repay the loan.”
Jefferson Township board member Tim Baker took issue with this as he did not believe the settlement from the state would amount to the money Heckber referenced. Board member David Haiflich also opposed the resolution for this reason.
“What are you going to use from June to December then?” Haiflich interrupted as Heckber explained. “You’ll be out of money again.”
Heckber explained that this would depend on community need, and that he could file an extension if needed. Board member AJ Springer told the board that they would receive the funds from the state either way, however, the timeline of when the money was received was dependent on taxes.
Ultimately, Springer motioned to fund the account in the amount of $18,000 — enough to cover the deficit and provide $10,000 in funds for assistance. Haiflich voted against the motion. Baker could not vote due to his virtual presence, and Heckber was the tiebreaker.
Concerns with Heckber’s management assistance funds were repeatedly raised by Haiflich and Baker. All members believed Heckber should provide a set of guidelines that outlines what types of assistance are available with a maximum amount of the funds provided. Heckber explained that guidelines had been recommended, however, the board did not agree with all of the terms. He also said that he and Springer have an ongoing discussion to make the guidelines final.
Springer attempted to review them at the meeting, but Heckber declined. He requested to wait until he had more information regarding the federal poverty level. Springer agreed. Haiflich, however, continued to explain that the board had the power to use discretion on funds.
“Stop bringing up what I understand,” Springer responded. “I don’t need to be re-educated. I get it. I understand it.”
“Under basic necessities — transportation for employment,” Baker said. “I do not think the taxpayer is responsible for hauling people to their job.”
Springer explained that under state law, the township is required to assist residents with this need. However, the board can set a maximum amount. Heckber added that he outlined the maximum amount of assistance in the proposed pending guidelines.
“Yeah right,” Haiflich said flatly. “A year later, let’s get that clear.”
Baker also disapproved of providing assistance to residents with mortgage payments. Springer again explained that this was the law. In contradiction, Haiflich and Baker emphasized the wording of the code, which states that the township “may” and not that they “shall” provide assistance.
“To the trustee’s discretion,” Heckber emphasized. “You guys don’t deal with these people. If we feel we can get them out of a hole, we will. We had a guy — I told you, if we didn’t help him out he was going to be evicted. He made over $1,000 on his first paycheck and we’ll never see him again.”
“Have you seen any of the money you gave him?” Baker said.
“No, we can’t ask him to repay that loan,” Heckber responded. “If he offers, that is up to him, but we cannot ask him to repay that money.”
Baker stated that if the person in need had that much money from his check, he could have found another place. Heckber again explained that the person would have been evicted and lost their home without the help.
“You asked me what I thought and I’m telling you,” Baker said.
The person referenced in the meeting was present at a December County Commissioner meeting. Due to a lack of cooperation from the township board, Heckber was forced to go to the commissioners to overrule the board’s decision to give him, as well as several others, financial aid. The commissioners granted the request as the individuals qualified for assistance. They also reprimanded the board’s inflexibility.
Both Haiflich and Baker continued to present issues in the guidelines, such as providing help with emergency medical assistance. Springer, the newest member to the board, continued to explain the function of the law.
Ultimately, Springer proposed the motion to provide enough funds to cover the deficit and provide $10,000 in township assistance.
In a conversation following the meeting, Heckber said that this means he may not have enough funds to help residents in the spring. Springer said that he offered less than what was requested in order to ensure the township has enough money until the final payment in December.
“Most likely, we will get more than half of the tax money in June,” Springer said. “This will allow us to pay the loan back and have money left for the rest of the year.”
Springer elaborated that while Jefferson and Harrison townships do not follow a set of guidelines, most other townships function by them. He understood township guidelines as putting a maximum assistance limit in place in order to have enough money to help.
“There has been no limit on how much assistance one person could receive at a time,” Springer summarized. “From personal experience, the state limits how much unemployment benefits you receive at a time and Jefferson Township should be no different when it comes to assistance.”
Springer also offered that he has no issue with providing further aid outside of the maximum guidelines if it is warranted, and that assistance from the township will likely be higher and more available than other areas.
sydney@news-banner.com
