PUBLIC HEALTH
Jones County Board of Health members held their first meeting in their newly renovated facility this month.
The Dec. 6 meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Ed Barbee, who was welcomed back by board members. Following the approval of the agenda and Sept. 20 minutes, the first item on the agenda was the building update.
Morris Hutchenson, director of special projects for the North Central Health District, who oversaw the renovations, presented the update. He said the renovations were complete, and staff moved back into the building Nov. 7.
“Everyone is pleased. I think this building will serve Jones County for the next 30 years,” Hutcheson said.
The director said he appreciated the board’s support. He said the Health Department has room to grow. He added the drive-thru is a big plus, and WIC also has more space, in addition to the added space for the health department itself.
Hutcheson said directional signs in downtown Gray were needed to help direct the public to the health department.
Barbee, who also serves as the Mayor of Gray, said he did not think that would be a problem.
New business items started with Board of Health member renewals. Board member Kara Moore was reappointed for another six-year term by the Jones County Board of Commissioners Nov. 21.
Board members also approved board meeting dates for 2024 – March 6, June 5, Sept. 4 and Dec. 4.
Reports
The first report was from Environmental Specialist Maggie Graham for the period of July through September. She said Jones County has 47 food service facilities, and 25 inspections had been done.
Graham said new septic permits were up, and repair permits were down. She said the department averages 100 food service inspections per year. The specialist said revenue from fees collected was higher, and bills had been sent out to the food service facilities for next year.
She said the average bill for the facilities was $295.
Nursing Director Sherry Bryant said they are planning have a presence at Main Street Gray events next year to promote the services offered by the health department.
“We would like to get our numbers back up to pre-pandemic levels,” she said.
The total number of services for the quarter were 680. Patient visits for the same quarter in 2019 were 1,081.
Bryant said the department gave 327 flu vaccinations at Jones County schools, which took a lot of work. She added that all the school audits had been completed, and the schools did well.
Sylvia Woodford with the North Central Health District presented the financial report for the Jones County Health Department for the period ending Oct. 31, which marked 33 percent of the fiscal year.
Revenues totaled $239,638 and expenses $474,831. The total cash in the bank as of Oct. 31 was $299,820.
Woodford said the 2023 audit had been completed. The health department received a clean audit report for the period ending June 30, 2023, which was the end of the fiscal year.
NCHD acting director Dr. Thomas Craft joined the meeting by conference call. He said he was excited about the new building and hoped it generated an increase in services.
“I thank all who helped in the transition,” he said.
Craft ended his comments with a warning about influenza. He said it was on the rise and encouraged everyone to get their flu shots.
The next meeting of the Board of Health is scheduled March 6.
Contributed
