Board approves Public Health Emergency Preparedness agreement with Butler County; staff say funding was reduced

At its Aug. 12 meeting the City of Middletown Board of Health and Environment voted to approve an agreement between the Butler County General Health District and the City of Middletown Health Department for the annual Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) grant.

Staff told the board the grant award arrived late and at a lower level than in previous years. A staff member said, “we were definitely funded, but at a decreased amount, it's like 28% less than our last amount,” and later noted, “so now it's 17,000.” The board was also told deliverables required by the grant were reduced for this cycle; staff said they will continue preparedness activities (drills, call‑outs and participation in countywide exercises) in hopes the state will release additional funds in March so the department can be made whole.

Why this matters: the PHEP grant funds local preparedness activities that support response to mass‑casualty incidents, infectious‑disease outbreaks and other emergencies. Lower funding can reduce capacity for exercises, staffing support or purchased resources if supplemental money does not arrive.

Meeting action: A motion to approve the agreement was made, seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote. Miss McDonald called the roll; the recorded votes were: Mister Richmond — yes; Miss Sipsey — yes; Doctor Zallet — yes; Miss Lawley — yes; Mister Bonnell — yes; Miss Miller — yes. The chair announced the motion passed.

Staff comments and next steps: presenters said the contract includes a list of deliverables, some of which are currently deactivated; if the state restores funding, those deliverables would resume and the department may return with an amended contract. Staff stressed they plan to continue preparedness activities regardless of current funding levels so the department remains operationally ready.

No additional board action was taken at the meeting beyond approving the agreement.