The Stanly County Board of
Health met on January 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Stanly
County Health Department. Board Members absent were Teri Hathcock, Dr. Jim
Marshall and Commissioner McIntyre. Staff members present were Dennis Joyner,
Health Director, Judie DeMuth, Debbie Bennett, David Ezzell, Patti Lewis, Becky
McKeon and Thomas Taylor. Leon Warren
attended as media representative.
Chairman Chambers called the
first meeting of the year to order and welcomed those present. First term board member Aretha Sherrill was
sworn in by Mr. Chambers and welcomed by everyone present. Judie DeMuth, Clerk to the Board witnessed
and notarized the Oath of Office. Everyone present then introduced themselves
to Mrs. Sherrill and Mrs. Debbie Johnston and Dr. Laura Mauldin were
congratulated on their reappointments to a second term of office on the Board
of Health. Next, the floor was opened for nominations of a Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Health for the year of 2010.
Dr.
Laura Mauldin nominated Mr. Stephen Chambers to continue to serve as Chairman
of the board, and the motion was seconded by Mrs. Rudisill. With no other nominations offered, by
acclamation Mr. Chambers was elected to continue as Board Chairman for the year
of 2010. Mrs. Margaret Rudisill then
nominated Mr. Larry Faulkner to continue to serve as Vice Chairman. Dr. Laura Mauldin seconded the motion, and
with no other nominations, Mr. Faulkner was elected by acclamation to continue
as Vice Chairman.
Chairman
Chambers then entertained a motion for approval of the November 5, 2009 board
minutes. A motion to approve the minutes
as presented was made by Mr. Faulkner, seconded by Dr. Mauldin and approved by
the board.
With
no general public in attendance, no comments were noted under the Public
Comments agenda item and the meeting was turned over to the Health Director.
HEALTH DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The
Health Director updated the board on the agency’s personnel status informing
them that effective 12-28-09, Renea Greene transferred from DSS to fill the
vacant receptionist position at the Health Department. Cindy Russell, RN, PHN
II transferred from the Smart Start Program to Communicable Disease/TB Clinic
effective 1/1/2010. Director Joyner
explained that state funding for local Health Check coordination was being
reduced and transferred to the NC Community Care Network system. Stanly
participates in the Southern Piedmont Community Care Plan which includes
Cabarrus, Stanly and Rowan Counties. Funding that supports a Health Check
management support position, held by Teri Bowers, would cease on 1/31/10. At this time, the position will be reassigned
to other departmental duties and will assist with H1N1 activities and possibly
transfer to the WIC Program this spring to fill a retiree’s position. Board members were informed that Christi
Greer, Health Educator who has been on Family Medical Leave due to pregnancy
since 10/28/09 resigned from her full time position as of 12/31/09 and returned
on a part-time basis as of 1/5/10 through a contractual arrangement with the
North Carolina Alliance of Public Health Agencies. The personnel update ended
with the director updating the board on staff changes in the Dental
Clinic. He stated that two staff members
in the Dental Clinic would soon be taking medical leave due to pregnancy; Kim
Shuffler, Dental Assistant will take 12 weeks Family Medical Leave beginning in
February and Dr. Stacy Dinges, Dentist plans to take 12 weeks Family Medical
Leave in May. Mr. Joyner added that temporary help would be hired to work
during staff absences. Board Members were informed that recruitment for a
Dental Clinic Office Manager is currently taking place with several
applications received. Cost efficiency concerns were expressed and the need to
carefully assess program revenues and expenses before hiring additional staff,
especially with planned absences of two full time staff members.
Reports
on expenditures and revenues as of November 30th was reviewed, and
Mr. Joyner explained that with revenues at 48% and expenses at 40%, figures are
on target at 42% into the fiscal year.
Performance reports for all Health Department programs for the month of
November were reviewed and Mr. Joyner explained that adoptions at the animal
shelter were higher than usual in October due to a large number of owner
surrendered animals.
NEW BUSINESS
The
status of the current fiscal year budget was discussed and Director Joyner
explained that in an effort to be proactive the County Manager has requested
that all county departments identify a 2% reduction in budgeted county funds by
1/15/10. Since the Health Department has already offset county funds by
utilizing available H1N1 state funding, the amount of reductions offered by the
Health Department may be adjusted.
The
budget process for 2010-11 was discussed and the board was informed that a due
date for completed county department budgets has not been set by the County
Manager or Finance Director. The Health
Director requested that a budget committee comprised of at least three board
members be appointed. Chairman Chambers
explained that this committee, as in the past would attend a luncheon meeting
with the Health Director and key department personnel sometime in the near
future, possibly March to review the budget proposal before submission to the
entire board. Mr. Larry Faulkner, Mrs. Margaret Rudisill, Dr. Raquel Mullen and
Dr. Laura Mauldin all agreed to serve on the committee, with Dr. Mauldin
stipulating that if the meeting was scheduled during a week day other than a
Friday, she would be unable to attend.
Board
Members were made aware that an Adult Health Grant from the Sisters of Mercy
Foundation in the amount of $30,000 has been awarded to the Health
Department. Patti Lewis, FNP explained
that the funding would enhance the Health Department’s Adult Health Program
with the purchase of equipment, patient education materials, and supplementing
up to 90% of patient charges.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
An
update on H1N1 and seasonal Flu activities was given and the board was informed
that large supplies of both vaccines are currently available for the general
public. Effective Monday, January 11th
all restrictions will be lifted and anyone wishing to get immunized for the flu
can be seen by appointment at the Health Department. Also, outreach activities
will continue throughout the county in an effort to reach individuals that are
unable to go to the Health Department or other medical provider to get
immunized.
OTHER BUSINESS
The State of the County’s Health (SOTCH) Report for
2009 was distributed and reviewed. Mr.
Joyner thanked Debbie Bennett, Health Educator for her work in putting the
report together and explained that a more detailed review of the report would
take place at the next Health Expo.
The
Health Director then gave various updates on department activities which
included:
The implementation of the State of
North Carolina No-Smoking Law became effective on
1-2-2010. He stated that the $1,700
in state funds made available to assist with the no smoking law had been used to purchase framed
signage, coasters and window clings, which are in the process of
being purchased and delivered to all local restaurants. Board Members discussed how various restaurants
in Albemarle are dealing with the new law.
New aluminum cages for cats
have been installed at the Animal Shelter and the flooring was resealed
over the Christmas holiday.
Effective
1/4/10, open access scheduling began in many Health Department programs which will hopefully help with no show
rates.
Next, Mrs. Rudisill made a motion to go into closed
session to discuss the Health Director’s annual performance evaluation. Mr. Larry Faulkner second the motion, which
passed by the board.
Upon returning to regular session, and with no further business to discuss, Dr.
Mauldin made a motion for adjournment.
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Rudisill and passed by the board.