Council tables vote on health department finance/grants manager after state funding cut

The Morgan County Council voted 6-0 on May 5, 2025, to table consideration of a health department position reclassification that would rename and expand an administrative assistant role to Finance/Grants Manager. Tricia, the Morgan County health department head, told the council the decision follows major uncertainty in state funding: "The Health First Indiana funding was cut 74%." She said the department had been awarded about $1,400,000 this year and that, under a 74% reduction, the county could receive about $400,000 in 2026.

Tricia said the health department still has the same responsibilities despite the funding change and described new grant-management work added under the Health First Indiana program, including oversight of 14 partner grantees and additional quarterly reporting. She told the council the department has been carrying grants administration and invoicing tasks in the absence of a permanent staff member; longtime contractor Jean Laferri is working a few hours at a time while the position remains vacant.

The reclassification request included adjustments from the original ask: reducing daily hours from eight to seven and proposing pay at the low end of the range rather than midpoint. Tricia said the county has historically advertised these roles on the county Facebook page and Indeed, but prior hires did not remain in the position; she and other officials said past incumbents lacked the advanced Excel and grant-writing skills now required.

Several council members urged caution until the county meets with financial advisor Reedy Financial and finalizes budget numbers. Council member Joe Krone moved to table the request until the June meeting after the finance review; Vicki (council member) seconded and the motion passed 6-0. Staff noted that one way to hold level funding would be to remove a vacant part-time environmental position in the November budget and repurpose that allocation for the reclassified role.

During discussion the health department said it had around 600,000 in staff costs in the Health First Indiana budget and that some grant partners' timelines run into 2026; the department plans to carry over unused 2025 funds to help cover staffing during the gap. The council set a follow-up on the June agenda after the May 21 finance meeting with the county’s financial advisor.