The County of Tompkins shall be a Social Services District as
defined in the Social Services Law. There shall be a Department of
Social Services headed by a Commissioner of Social Services, who shall
be appointed by the County Administrator, subject to confirmation
by the Tompkins County Legislature and the appropriate state agency.
The Commissioner shall meet qualifications as prescribed by the local
Civil Service Office. The Commissioner shall serve a five-year term,
and shall be directly responsible to the County Administrator for
the implementation of policies established by the Tompkins County
Legislature.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall have the power to
appoint such Deputy Commissioners, assistants, attorneys, and other
employees as may be necessary to perform the duties of the Office
of Commissioner of Social Services and as shall be authorized by the
Tompkins County Legislature. Such Deputy Commissioners, assistants,
and employees shall meet the qualifications prescribed by the Social
Services Law and the Commissioner of Social Services of the State
of New York. All Deputy Commissioners, assistants, attorneys, and
other employees shall be directly responsible to the Commissioner
of Social Services, except where otherwise provided by this Charter
or applicable law. In the case of attorneys, they shall be hired by
the Commissioner in consultation with the County Attorney. Except
as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Commissioner of Social
Services shall have all the powers and perform all the duties now
or hereafter conferred or imposed by law upon a County Commissioner
of Social Services, and perform such other and related duties as may
be required by the Tompkins County Legislature. The powers and duties
of the Commissioner of Social Services shall be to:
(a)
Administer social-welfare services and programs for qualified needy
persons throughout the County;
(b)
Represent the Department of Social Services in the maintenance of
all contracts or communications with public or private agencies regarding
aid to qualified needy persons throughout the County;
(c)
Publish and otherwise disseminate such information regarding administrative
procedures and practices affecting the public as shall facilitate
the Department's response to the needs of the community;
(d)
Investigate suspected fraudulent applications for, and the receipt
of, assistance, and refer cases where appropriate to the District
Attorney for prosecution;
(e)
Manage such facilities as shall be operated for the purpose of providing
assistance, except as otherwise specifically assigned in this Charter
or by applicable law;
(f)
Maintain such financial and other records and submit such reports
to the County Administrator and otherwise as may be provided by law
or applicable rule or regulation regarding services rendered by the
Department.
