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St. Mary’s County commissioners review Health Department shortfall as state funding declines
Summary
County commissioners heard that state support for core public‑health programs has fallen and the local share has risen; the Health Department reported staff cuts and requested $36,839 in additional county funding for FY2013.
St. Mary’s County commissioners were told Monday that the state has reduced core health funding and the county must make up part of the shortfall as local costs rise.
At a budget workstation, county staff and a health department representative outlined fiscal 2013 requests for the Health Department and noted changes to personnel and fringe lines. The health department requested an additional $36,839 in county funding for 2013 to cover mandated state salary and fringe increases and other essential costs.
The presentation traced the county contribution to core public‑health programs back several years. County staff said the state allocation for core health programs declined from about $1.3 million in 2005 to roughly $738,000 in 2013. The required local match varied by formula; one slide cited a local match figure of $409,088 for 2013 "required by formula, not required to fund operations." The presenters said the state has not kept pace with increases in fringe and salary costs for state employees who deliver local services.
A health department official told commissioners the department has “lost 30 to 32% of our workforce over the past 5 years” and that cuts had forced the agency to eliminate programs, including a lead program and an indoor air quality program. The official said the department replaced some retiring full‑time merit positions with part‑time or contractual staff to find savings.
Commissioners asked for clarifications about specific line items, including a $70,000 line described as funding for the county health officer (identified in the materials as Doctor Eisenhower's position) the department conservatively shifted from core to county funds. Staff explained that some increases cited — for example a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment applied by the state — affect state employees’ salaries but are not always fully funded by the state, leaving the county to cover the local portion.
After discussion, Chair Jack Russell said he was satisfied with the department’s bottom line for the item and indicated support: “I’m okay with that.”
The county administrator and budget staff said the health‑department request will be updated if commissioners give additional direction and noted the schedule remains a “moving target” ahead of further work sessions.
The health department discussion was one of several agency budget presentations during two days of work sessions that the Board of County Commissioners scheduled to review boards and state agencies and county departments.
Commissioners, county staff and the health department agreed to carry the department’s FY2013 request forward for further consideration and to update the budget schedule with any direction given during the session.
