Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley is calling for reform of Douglas County’s General Assistance Program.
In a 13-page letter released Tuesday to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Foley outlined findings from an audit of the county’s General Assistance Program. According to the audit, the county spent about $74 on administrative costs for every $100 in financial assistance provided over the three years reviewed.
Foley’s letter said the program provided nearly $9.4 million in aid from 2023 through 2025, while administrative expenses totaled just under $7 million.
First Alert 6 reached out to program director Melissa Sewick, who initially referred us to the responses already contained in the report, but later responded in writing to several specific questions.
“Personal Services costs have decreased, including through headcount reduction via attrition. Administrative costs within the Department’s direct control have also decreased,” she said.
Sewicksaid that while the office recognizes administrative efficiency does matter, comparing the amount of aid distributed against administrative costs isn’t an effective way to evaluate that.
