Health department reports active tuberculosis case, staffing cuts and tight year‑end finances
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Summary
Geary County health department reported an active tuberculosis case under investigation and isolated, temporary staff reductions because of lost grant funding, and said it is operating under a spending freeze pending year‑end funding; commissioners closed the Board of Health session after the update.
Charles Martinez, director of the Geary County Health Department, told the commission during the public portion of the meeting that the department recently identified an active tuberculosis case. Martinez said county public-health staff activated TB protocols, isolated the case and are working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment; at the time of his report the case appeared contained with no known spread to schools or households, but staff said they will continue monitoring and testing for several weeks.
Martinez also summarized the department’s financial situation: the health department lost a major grant (noted in the meeting as WIC funding) and has reduced staffing as a cost-cutting step. He said the department is on a spending freeze, paying only contractual obligations, and is meeting with county finance staff to identify options for cash flow until January. Martinez said that while current surveillance reports showed low counts earlier in the month, the detection of an active TB case means staff remain vigilant.
Commissioners and Martinez discussed outbreak investigation activities, clinic and outreach operations and the need to pursue additional grant funding next year. Martinez said the department has been working to collect patient insurance and third-party reimbursements and that some reimbursements remain outstanding.
Near the end of the health update the commission moved to close the Board of Health portion and reconvene the regular commission session; the motion and second were recorded and commissioners voted to come out of the Board of Health by voice vote.
