Health agency funds top board agenda

Feb 8, 2010 — Commercial-News

Brian L. Huchel

Feb. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- DANVILLE -- The Vermilion County Health Department and its future is the main issue for the Vermilion County Board.

The board, which meets on Tuesday, is expected to discuss and vote on the extension of a $300,000 loan to the health department from last year and the reduction of the department's budget by more than $400,000 because of cuts made in January.

The health department is facing problems because of the state's budget crisis. The state remains in debt to the health department after paying back just more than 60 percent of a debt that stood at more than $900,000 before the start of the county's current fiscal year.

The loan given by the county to the health department last year comes up in March. Health department Administrator Steve Laker has said if the loan is not extended, he will not have the funds to meet the health department's next payroll.

How much money is removed from the health department will be in question during the meeting. The finance committee approved a motion to reduce the health department budget by $423,792 last week. That total represents the money saved by the health department's decision in January to remove 12 positions and eliminate three state grant-funded programs.

But the vote came only after a motion by Terry Stal of District 4 to remove $1.4 million from the budget failed. That total covers the savings of eliminating all of the state grant-funded programs.

The finance committee defeated the motion after County Board Chairman Jim McMahon said the county has enough state money to keep the health department open until May without using county funds and suggested holding off voting on the $1.4 million until April.

The issue of cutting more programs could be revisited if Stal's motion or another version of it is presented by a board member during Tuesday's meeting.

COMING UP

The Vermilion County Board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Courthouse Annex.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0433-41891728