Loading...
2018-09-27 Prelim Budget mtg -- Public Health and Social Services2019 Preliminary Budget Meeting – Public Health and Social Services September 27, 2018 10:31 a.m. Present: Commissioner Fund; Commissioner Jackson (10:34 a.m.); Commissioner Stamper; County Manager Erik Martin; Budget Services Manager Becky Butler; Central Services Director Steve Walton; Public Health and Social Services Director Danette York; Dr. Rachel Wood; and Citizens Budget Committee members Judy Pectol, Bill Marshall and Robert Berg Guests: Dr. Lindsey Pollock, Linda Williams Recorder: Rieva Lester Unfunded mandates discussed: Danette said the immunization clinic recently was phased out because it was unfunded; she said the Foundation of Public Health Services system plans to ask the state Legislature to pay for “core” services, such as Women, Infants, Children; Environmental Health Services are not covered by the permit fees collected; communicable disease responses, such as rabies and TB, are not funded Public Health Revenue: $2,737,568 Expenditures: $2,761,418 Change in fund balance: ($23,850) Additional request: $163,569 Full-time equivalent employees: 21.68 Public Health and Social Services Director Danette York said she has requested funding ($80,485) for an environmental health specialist position. Commissioner Jackson joined at 10:34 a.m. Danette said there has been a significant increase in the number of building permits. She said the two employees in the role are having a hard time keeping up. She said she is asking for funding for one generalist position. She said the backup position is sorely needed and has been requested at least the past six years. She said onsite inspections bottleneck when someone is out sick or out on vacation. She said the two individuals in those positions are nearing retirement age and have been here 25 years or so. Danette said there may be grant funding available to help offset the costs. Dr. Lindsey Pollock asked if there was any outreach regarding water systems. Erik Martin said there are nonprofits that offer some of that outreach. Danette said permit fees do not cover the costs related to water systems. Danette said the position would benefit the public because it would provide coverage for vacations and sick days and it would provide succession planning. Danette said she is requesting funding ($83,084) for a code enforcement officer. She said it would be a partnership between her office and the Sheriff’s Office. She said Lewis County fields a lot of animal calls. She said the Sheriff’s Office devotes a lot of deputy time to code enforcement. She said the county’s humane officer isn’t a first responder. She said the new position would be a first responder. Danette said the current humane officer has been responding alone to areas that have been flagged as areas that shouldn’t be visited alone, some of which would be 40 minutes or more away from deputy assistance. She said the current humane officer has expressed concerns regarding those visits, so the office is reviewing its stance. Danette said the new position would be a reserve officer position. Dr. Rachel Wood discussed unfunded mandates regarding communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis. Danette York left at 11:05 a.m. Commissioner Jackson left at 11:05 a.m. Dr. Wood discussed a recent TB outbreak. She discussed the difference between infections and the active disease. Danette York returned at 11:06 a.m. Commissioner Jackson returned at 11:10 a.m. The group continued discussing TB treatments. Danette said the county is required to pay for treatment and living expenses. She said some insurance companies will cover a portion of the medical costs. Danette said a case on the east end of the county resulted in county costs totaling $36,000. Veterans Relief Fund Revenue: $181,702 Expenditures: $176,837 Change in fund balance: $4,865 Full-time equivalent employees: 0.71 Danette said Veterans Relief Fund’s revenues come from property tax and timber tax. She said is considered an emergency relief fund and that it is paid using vouchers, not cash transactions. Danette said the fund can help with food, housing, funeral costs, etc. Danette said the county has some control over the millage that goes to the Veterans Relief Fund. She said it currently is in the middle range. She suggested keeping it there. Danette said a veteran must live in Lewis County to receive benefits locally. Social Services Revenue: $2,697,276 Expenditures: $2,663,766 Change in fund balance: $33,510 Full-time equivalent employees: 5.03 Commissioner Jackson left at 11:31 a.m. Danette reviewed the services provided through Social Services, such as housing. She said county employees coordinate contracts for the programs. She said the county receives funding for developmental disabilities, substance abuse, etc. She discussed housing efforts. Commissioner Jackson returned at 11:35 a.m. Commissioner Stamper left at 11:36 a.m. Bob Berg and Linda Williams left at 11:39 a.m. Danette discussed work the housing committee is performing on behalf of the Public Health and Social Services Advisory Board. Bill Marshall discussed long-term RV parks. Danette said it would be difficult for an owner to change an RV park to a mobile home park, which would require different infrastructure. Danette said admin cost transfers should total roughly $95,000. Animal Shelter Revenue: $136,000 Expenditures: $417,000 Full-time equivalent employees: 3.43 Danette said volunteers and donations keep the animal shelter afloat. Danette said bequests have been set aside to pay for a future building and/or site. She said airflow problems have caused upper respiratory infections problems for the shelter’s cat population. Danette said there’s roughly $700,000 set aside for the new building and/or site. Danette said spay and neuter costs are going to increase. Dr. Pollock discussed the dangers of placing animals with upper respiratory infections under anesthesia. Danette gave an overview of mental health treatment. Commissioner Jackson left at 12:04 p.m. Meeting ended at 12:07 p.m.