Social services budget could be up half a million

NORWICH – Though tentative, the county’s Social Services budget – including programs and administration – could be nearly half a million dollars more next year.

The amount represents a 4.5 percent local share increase on departmental costs that total $10.8 million. Appropriations are estimated to be about $23 million next year minus expected revenues of about $12 million.

Chenango County DSS Commissioner Bette Osborne said she expected to hear in the coming months whether the federal government would be paying $115,000 to New York State directly or to Chenango County’s DSS for a contract it administers for the Broome, Chenango, Otsego and Delaware system.