By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com Reporter
MOUNT VERNON — Due to what Probate/Juvenile Judge Jennifer Springer called “an inordinate amount of guardianships,” the probate court’s Indigent Guardian Fund is facing a cash flow problem. Springer, along with Diane Randall, court administrator, asked the county commissioners on Monday to create and fund a new general fund account so that the court can pay outstanding bills.
The cash balance in the guardian fund as of Sept. 22 is $1,164.29; of that, $1,162.50 is encumbered, leaving a balance of $1.79. Outstanding bills total $5,344.65. Springer estimates the total bills for 2016 will come to around $8,000.
“We’d like to be able to get caught up and have some cushion,” said Randall of the court’s request for $8,000. “If we receive $7,000 or $8,000, we can pay bills to get us to the end of the year. If you fund it next year…we’ll have it as a backup.”
“We have not paid some of our guardians,” said Springer. “We don’t want to lose them. If we don’t have guardians to serve these people, they won’t be taken care of, and it turns into a mess.”
Guardians visit nursing facilities and/or home situations to make sure the individual is receiving proper care. Guardians also are called if there is a change in the condition or treatment plan of an individual and are called upon to make decisions on behalf of the individual. Randall said the rate for the county’s longest-serving guardian is $25 an hour; the rest receive $15 an hour.
Springer said guardianships have increased, although she could not give an exact number. She said part of the increase is due to individuals being transferred into Knox County from other counties, something over which she has no control. Physicians, psychologists and probate judges are among those who decide where an individual will receive care. Springer did not know what percentage of guardianships are local compared to individuals transferred into the county.
“We have more guardianships than Delaware County does,” said Springer. “We have better facilities than other counties, so we get cases transferred in.”
The court receives $30 for each guardianship filed and either $20 or $30 for each estate filed. These fees are mandated by the Ohio Revised Code. If an individual is indigent, the court receives no fee. Springer said the Ohio Legislature has handed down more mandates regarding documentation and other requirements that the court is required to follow. Commissioner Teresa Bemiller asked whether there has been any discussion to raise the fees.
“Most counties pay from a general fund,” said Randall. “These are people who don’t have people to take care of them.”
“For me, it needs to go back to your association,” Bemiller told Springer. “The legislature can’t expect us to keep giving money.”
“This is really getting ridiculous, these unfunded mandates,” said Commissioner Roger Reed. “If they are local, I agree [with funding]. I disagree if they are transferred in.”