Avon supervisor explains spending plan for needy residents

Avon Township Supervisor San Yingling said there is more than meets the eye in his proposal to budget more money for employee salaries and spend less on services for needy residents.

Yingling was questioned about the general assistance budget by Trustee Sherry Ridge at a recent meeting. In an interview, he said a full-time employee has become necessary to more efficiently respond to skyrocketing use of the township's food pantry.

In addition, Yingling said, previous budgets overestimated general assistance expenses for residents seeking help to pay for utilities, shelter, food, prescription drugs and other necessities. He said the reduction in his tentative 2010-11 budget is more accurate.

Under the proposed budget, general assistance salary expenses would go from $53,000 last year to $110,000. The budgeted spending on services would drop from $102,000 to $55,000, which Ridge called her "biggest concern."

Ridge said she was unable to receive a detailed explanation about the general assistance budget from Yingling.

Justifying the need for the general assistance employee, Yingling said records show the township handled 2,049 clients at the food pantry in February, a roughly 115 percent increase over the same month in 2009. The pantry handled 2,353 clients in January, a 109 percent increase from the same month in 2009.

Yingling said the general assistance job also would involve handling a new township vegetable garden and overseeing volunteer and supply coordination.

As for the reduced amount allocated toward general assistance services, Yingling said only a quarter of the $102,000 budgeted last year was used. He set aside $55,000 in the 2010-11 proposed budget, which he said better reflects what should be spent.

Yingling and Ridge were part of the Avon Forward slate in the April 2009 election. Most of Avon Forward's candidates topped opponents on a team headed by former supervisor Shirley Christian.