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Council shifts immunization‑grant staff to local public‑health fund after grant ended
Summary
On May 13 the county council approved bill 37‑25, moving staff previously paid by an immunization grant into the local public health services fund after the grant ended March 25; council members expressed disappointment that state and federal funding had been paused.
The Saint Joseph County Council voted 9‑0 on May 13 to approve an amendment (bill 37‑25) that moves staff from a now‑expired immunization grant into the county’s Local Public Health Services fund so the Health Department can continue their work.
Amy Rupi, director of finance for the Health Department, said the immunization grant ended March 25 with no prior notice and the department seeks approval to continue funding the affected staff from local public health funds. Rupi told the council the staff positions had been supported by the immunization grant and that the requested reclassification would allow the employees to remain in place.
There were no members of the public who spoke for or against the measure during the public hearing. Councilman Catanzarite told the council he was “disappointed… that this funding has been abruptly cut from the health department due to policies from the CDC and other places,” clarifying that his disappointment was aimed at higher levels of government rather than local staff.
The committee had recommended the salary amendment with a favorable report; the motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Hess and seconded by Councilman Brian Tanner. The clerk’s roll call recorded the motion passing 9‑0.
Why this matters: the vote keeps existing immunization‑grant staff employed under local funding and preserves continuity of immunization services managed by the Health Department after the external grant ended unexpectedly.
