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Council approves health department salary changes, appropriations and funding for immigration clinic
Summary
The Daviess County Council approved a salary ordinance amendment and additional appropriations that fund a county-run immigration physicals clinic and adjust several health department line items, including a 4% salary change and anticipated revenue from civil-surgeon exams.
The Daviess County Council on Jan. 8 approved a salary ordinance amendment and additional appropriations that adjust pay lines and provide funding tied to a county health department immigration clinic and other health programs.
Council action included a salary ordinance amendment that moved several positions to a 4% pay step and additional appropriations totaling $116,115 to restore budgeted line items and account for grant and state-funded payroll changes. The measures were presented and explained by health department staff and approved after council questions.
The nut graf: A central item in the health department discussion was funding for immigration physicals provided by a federal civil surgeon, identified in the meeting as Dr. Holzapol. The council heard that the clinic charges $350 per immigration physical, of which $300 is paid to the provider and $50 is retained by the health department to cover administrative overhead. Staff estimated up to 24 appointments per month at full capacity; each physical includes paperwork and may require two visits, typically taking about 2 to 3 hours.
Health staff said the immigration-clinic fees and other clinical revenues are anticipated and that excess grant/state funds from 2024 will carry into 2025. Staff noted the county received roughly $250,000 in vaccine revenue in 2024 and estimated a Health First Indiana carryover of about $127,700 from 2024 to 2025. Health staff also said some positions originally budgeted as full time were filled part time; transfers were made to reflect that staffing change.
Council members pressed for clarity on how revenue is collected and where the $50 administrative portion is held; staff answered that the $50 per exam remains in county fund 1159. The council also discussed the health officer’s role and hours and was told the health officer provides clinical services in addition to administrative duties.
The council approved the additional appropriations and the salary ordinance amendment by voice vote; no roll-call was recorded in the transcript.
Ending: Health staff said they will return with final budget paperwork to the state where required and that some carryover funds will appear in future agenda materials.
