Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Riley County Health Department presents $6.5 million provisional 2026 budget, highlights EHR and community needs assessment
Summary
Health department director Diane Creek presented the department’s proposed 2026 budget of about $6.5 million and noted plans to implement a new electronic health record, complete a community health needs assessment and pursue accreditation preparations.
Riley County Health Department Director Diane Creek presented the department’s 2026 proposed budget on May 8, showing projected revenue of about $6.93 million and projected expenses of roughly $6.50 million and describing priorities for the coming year.
Creek told commissioners the department’s staff costs account for about 77% of the budget and that the department is planning to adopt a new electronic health record (EHR) system in early 2026. She said the department will also contract for a community health needs assessment and a community health improvement plan — steps the department needs for public-health accreditation and required every three years.
Budget lines highlighted during the presentation included WIC (Women, Infants and Children) services, which Creek said is a substantial program within the department, maternal and child health and outreach and prevention programs that carry county matching requirements. Creek said workforce development trainings will be paid from workforce-development funds where possible.
Creek said the department seeks to expand services in northern Riley County and to increase insurance billing in clinic services to improve sustainability. She also said the department is seeking to increase efficiencies and expects to continue grants and partnerships that partially fund programs such as the Maternal and Child Health program and other state-funded activities.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about in‑kind costs, matches required by state programs and the timing of planned EHR and community-assessment work. Creek said many program matches are specified by the state and that the department will bring updates to the commission as projects proceed.
