Barry County health department cites staff cuts, program closures after funding losses

Barry County officials reported on July 8 that the county health department is experiencing major funding shortfalls that have led to staff reductions, an imminent program closure and possible service reductions.

A county health representative told the Barry County Board of Commissioners that nine staff positions were eliminated in April after an $850,000 loss in federal funding. The representative also said Eaton County announced a 25% cut to its contribution to the shared health department (about $225,000), and that a proportional reduction by Barry County would amount to about $130,000.

Those cuts are already producing changes to services. The board was told the Connections program — described at the meeting as a service that helps residents navigate local health resources — will be discontinued effective Aug. 1. The health department also plans additional cuts to discretionary spending and is exploring changes including modified public hours, fee increases for permits and inspections, and greater use of digital tools to reduce labor costs.

The board heard that leadership changes are planned: Health Officer Colette Scrimgerer will retire effective Sept. 30, 2025, and Environmental Health Director Jay Van Stee will retire effective July 31, 2025. The board said it will begin a search for a new health officer, aiming to fill the position by Oct. 1; further program reductions were described as possible if additional federal cuts occur.

Meeting materials and remarks flagged likely service impacts, including slower responses to infectious disease outbreaks, longer wait times for vaccines and sexually transmitted infection services, and the potential for increased fees for food service permits and inspections. The board and health staff framed the steps as efforts to preserve core services while responding to the immediate fiscal shortfall.

Commissioners asked for updates on the hiring process for a new health officer and for further details about which services would be reduced if funding declines continue. The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the meeting but directed staff to continue planning and to report back to the board on recruitment and service adjustments.

The discussion occurred during the public meeting agenda items and included time for commissioners' questions; no formal action to change the health department's governance or budget was taken at this session.