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Cascade County health department warns of shrinking budget, staff cuts and program changes
Summary
Health department leaders told the Board of Health the agency faces flat grant funding, rising payroll costs and program reductions, including recent layoffs and unfilled vacancies.
Cascade County public-health leaders told the Board of Health this week that flat or reduced grant funding, rising payroll and the end of some federal programs have forced the department to eliminate positions and consider further cuts.
Health Officer Abigail Ellis said the department received "level funding" from some federal grants but noted that "expenses increase over time," leaving the health department with a structural shortfall. She said salaries alone for environmental health staff next year are projected at $533,000 while the program brings in roughly $150,000 in revenue.
"Level is a win, but it doesn't take into the fact that your expenses increase year to year with inflation," Ellis…
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