Barry Eaton District Health Officer Collette Scrimger gave a presentation explaining the functions and budget of the health department to the Barry County Commission Aug. 23, at the request of Commissioner Craig Stolsonburg.
Scrimger provided its organizational chart, the department’s five year strategic goals and strategies to implement the goals and staffing tables. Also included was a draft copy of the proposed budget with breakdowns on the different departments; Environmental Health, Administration, Personal Health and Eaton Behavioral Health and a list of available immunizations and their cost.
Scrimger said the department faces several challenges in its delivery of the services the public expects. A failing IT system forced the department to contract with Eaton County to become part of its computer system instead of trying to maintain an independent system.
“We continue to dig out of that.. it’s because of neglect over a long period on time,” she said.
State funding continues to be flat or decreasing, while staff costs continue to rise. Staff recruitment and training is ongoing, with qualified people hard to find, and in many cases, after a few years of training, the newer hire leaves for a better paying job.
And, as the economy improves, people are using more health department services, Scrimger said. One of the biggest concerns is $5.5 million in unfunded liability for employee pensions, The BEDHD retirement account is 73 percent funded and they have been making extra payments since 2012, she said.
“Despite all of these challenges and the many others we deal with on a regular basis, we continue to strive to provide quality public health services for our district,” Scrimger said. “The department works to put the needs for the district first and try to be responsive and flexible to address emerging issues.” //
Several questions from commissioners and the audience had to do with the budget and the TOST regulation. Scrimger addressed the questions, and if she did not have an immediate answer, she will get the answer and forward it to County Administrator Michael Brown.
Some facts about BEDHD financials:
The operation runs on about $6.3 million a year.
The majority of costs, 71 percent, is for salary and fringes of staff.
Thirty-four percent of its income comes from the state, excluding Medicaid service revenue.
Twenty percent of revenue is from county appropriations
Forty-six percent come from grants, contracts and fees.
Personal Health makes up 40 percent of the budget and the equivalent of 21.73 full time employees.
Environmental Health makes up 33 percent of the budget with the equivalent of 18.30 full time employees.
Eaton Behavioral Health make up 15 percent of the budget and the equivalent of 8.20 full time employees.
Administration makes up 12 percent of the budget and the equivalent of 14 full time employees.
