Council approves moving two health department positions to funds without residency restrictions

The Monroe County Council on June 24 approved a request from the Health Department to amend the 2025 salary ordinance and move two public-health emergency-preparedness positions into different funds that do not carry Health First Indiana (HFI) residency restrictions.

Health Department representative (Miss Kelly) told the council the change was prompted by a recent legislative shift she summarized as: “Health First Indiana dollars can only be spent on Indiana residents who are lawfully in The United States.” Because the preparedness work requires serving all individuals encountered during emergencies, the department sought to place the two positions in funds without that restriction so they can provide services to all residents.

The council then voted by roll call; all present voted yes and the motion passed unanimously.

Councilor Iverson expressed support for the change, saying it would allow the department to “provide services to all Indiana residents.” Councilor Henry asked how supplies, training and exercises would be paid if certain state funds no longer cover preparedness activities; Miss Kelly said the department expects to use other grant funds, a county reserve of roughly $20,000 from earlier local/state maintenance funding, and county fund 1159 to cover mileage and training. She also said she anticipates grant funding to be reduced but that some grant support is still expected.

Separately, the council approved an additional appropriation of $454.96 in Fund 9117 (local grants) to spend remaining funds from a prior Sofia Travis grant cycle. That appropriation passed 5–1 in roll call: Deckard yes, Iverson yes, Bridal yes, Henry yes, Crossley yes, Hawk no.

Discussion and decisions were limited to fund/account reclassifications and a small supplies appropriation; no other personnel changes were noted on the record.