The kids will be alright, according to Debbie Kerr-Rosenbeck, youth bureau director for Genesee County.
If a proposed shared-services agreement is approved by both the city and county elected bodies, Kerr-Rosenbeck doesn't anticipate any loss of programs currently offered to the youngsters of Batavia.
"If anything, I think (services) will expand and increase, not be less," Kerr-Rosenbeck said after a meeting of the county's Human Services Committee, where she briefed legislators on the proposal.
Under the terms of the agreement, Kerr-Rosenbeck would become director of the city's program as well as maintain her position with the county.
The city hopes to save at least $15,000 by eliminating its director position -- which with salary and benefits cost the city more than $80,000 per year -- and adding a coordinator position.
As part of the agreement, the city would reimburse the county $21,000, covering part of Kerr-Rosenbeck's current salary (but not increasing her salary) and five hours of clerical time per week.
"What the children see will not change significantly," Kerr-Rosenbeck said. "They may see some new faces when staffing is short. I'll put my staff there to help out evenings and weekends, but they won't see any changes in the programs at all."
Kerr-Rosenbeck said she's already started working on the transition and anticipates putting in more than the weekly eight-hours called for in the agreement in the beginning to help ensure the transition goes smoothly.
Both the Legislature and the City Council are expected to vote on the proposed shared-services agreement in December, so Kerr-Rosenbeck can officially take over the city's program in January.
The city has been without a youth director since the previous director retired about six months ago.
