Johnson County Council approves change-drawer policy for health department after debate

Betsy Swearingen, director of the Johnson County Health Department, asked the council to revise the department’s change-drawer procedures so front-desk employees who handle cash each day would each carry a separate change drawer, rather than sharing a single cash bag.

Swearingen said the proposed change would align local practice with guidance from the State Board of Accounts and would make accounting for transactions—birth and death certificates, immunizations and TB testing—easier at point of service. "We just think it will be a better accounting process," Swearingen said.

Council members asked for clarification about internal controls and workload. Michelle Graves and Melinda Grissemer raised concerns that multiple drawers could increase the number and complexity of reconciliations and that the treasurer’s office arrangement (individual cash drawers for deputy treasurers) might not be identical to the health department’s needs. Graves asked how the reconciliation process would work; Swearingen said the department had submitted standard operating procedures and segregation-of-duties documentation.

Despite those concerns, the council voted to approve the change. The transcript records two dissenting votes: Melinda Grissemer and Michelle Graves voted "no." The meeting record notes four other ayes and the motion passed.

Councilmembers who asked procedural questions noted the need to follow up on exact reconciliation steps and internal controls. Swearingen said the department would continue coordinating with the auditor and treasurer to ensure the procedures met State Board of Accounts expectations.

Ending: The policy change will let the health department operate multiple change drawers for daily cash handling; staff and auditors will follow up to confirm reconciliation and documentation meet state accounting standards.