A decades-old formula used by Barry and Eaton county officials to determine the share each paid to support the combined Barry Eaton District Health Department was difficult, if not impossible, to understand or explain, Barry County Commissioners agreed in 2016.

County Commissioners have debated the allocations ratio for several years, looking for a fair, understandable  division for each county’s contributions. In late 2016, county commissioners proposed a change in the formula based on taxable values and millage rates to one based on the counties populations.

Since then, Commissioner Ben Geiger, County Administrator Michael Brown, Eaton County Commission Chairman Blake Mulder and Eaton County Controller John Fuente have been working toward the proposal and have a tentative agreement to change the formula, Geiger said.

"The result will be “a simpler, clearer, and more efficient process that will benefit everyone,” he said. Commissioners Geiger, David Jackson and Dan Parker represent Barry County on the BEDHD board. “They are happy with the formula change,” Jackson said. “It will take a few months to solidify that.” “It’s very appropriate with what we’re going to do,” Parker said.

In 1966, the two counties merged its departments into a district health department and with a cost sharing formula based on the apportioned population in the counties. Over time, it was modified to become a formula based on gross taxes and millage.