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.