The Jones County Board of Health had its final meeting of the 2024 calendar year with budget challenges continuing.
The Dec. 4 meeting was called to order by Chairman Ed Barbee.
The first item on the agenda was old business, presented by Environmental Specialist Margaret Graham.
Graham told board members that she presented the proposed increase for service fees to the Jones County Board of Commissioners without the desired results.
The specialist took the increase to the county in October and was asked for more information in relation to the fees of other counties. When Graham took the information back to them in November, she was met with more questions.
The commissioners did agree that, since there had not been an increase since 2010, an increase was warranted. However, instead of the fees approved by the Board of Health, which equated to 65 percent of the actual cost of the performing the services, the commissioners granted a fee increase of 10 percent across the board.
“We did get a small increase but not what we had hoped,” Graham said.
Reports
With no new business on the agenda, the meeting moved to reports. Graham was again first up. She reported the county has 59 facilities, and 18 inspections were performed during July through September.
The specialist noted the food service facilities for the schools are inspected three times a year. She said there were few food service complaints.
Graham said new septic permits were up and reported animal bites were low.
“Revenue has been steady, and we just billed for food services,” she said.
Nursing Director Sherry Bryant reported for her department. She said family planning numbers were down and reported STDs numbers were up.
She said the health department has been busy doing physicals and drug testing. Bryant said the schoolbased flu vaccines had been completed, and the numbers at Jones County High School were up. She said school audits had been put off until February, but they were having a clinic the high school next week.
Finance
Sylvia Woodford with the North Central Health District gave the financial report. She said revenues for the period ending Oct.
31 was $198,987 and total expenses were $318,127.
That represents a year-todate deficit of $119,139.
The cash in the bank as of Oct. 31 was $125,864.
Woodford added that the requested amount from the county this year was $103,293, and the amount granted was $14,298.
She said they went to the county asking for the additional funding but were denied.
“Now we are going to have to revise our budget,” she said.
Woodford said the health department applied for a WIC grant, but the grant was not funded.
“We are in a position of needing additional funding,” she said.
Woodford moved from the budget to the annual audit. The audit was performed by the firm of Clenney & Luke PC. She said the county received the highest rating.
“Our net position decreased due to the building renovation and unfunded salary mandates,” she said.
Woodford said the only item mentioned was the separation of duties, but it was a clean audit.
Director’s report
NCHD Director Dr.
Thomas Craft presented the final report. He said Georgia was eight weeks into the flu season, and so far, the numbers have been low.
“We are now moderate on the scale,” he said.
Craft said the Jones County Health Department did an exceptional job with school flu shots.
“I commend you on that.
We need to encourage flu shots, especially for the elderly and people at risk,” he said.
The director said the intent was to not see the usual spike in flu cases that happens after the holidays.
Craft said the legislature goes into session Jan. 2, and the Department of Public Health is trying to support regional prenatal centers. He said the DPH would be working with other agencies.
The director said another concern was an issue with the advancement of county- and district-level employees.
He said, in order to go to work for the state, they lose their seniority and benefits.
“It’s important to get seasoned employees to state offices,” he said.
Craft said they would also be promoting vaccines. He said many life-altering diseases no longer exist because of vaccines.
“Vaccines are the biggest life-saving medical intervention in the history of the world,” he said.
The director said Georgia is still affected by new HIV cases, but the good news is that it is possible that HIV prevention meds will soon be available over the counter.
Following the director’s report, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Jones County Board of Health is scheduled March 5, 2025.
