Granite County Board of Health adopts bylaws, hears staffing and grant cuts and program updates

The Granite County Board of Health voted to adopt its bylaws and heard staff reports on public health programs and recent grant cuts during a special meeting held by video conference.

Board members approved the bylaws by voice vote after new members Michelle Hirsch and Jessica Martin said they had reviewed prior minutes and found no errors. The board postponed selecting a permanent chair until a future meeting.

The vote matters because it establishes the board’s operating rules and acknowledges newly seated members. Michelle Hirsch introduced herself as a nurse at Granite County Medical Center and the facility’s chief compliance officer; Jessica Martin said she is a nurse practitioner at the same hospital and its chief medical officer. Both were listed as voting members when the bylaws passed.

In staff reports, Tri-County sanitarian Chad Lennis told the board Granite County issued nearly 60 septic-system permits over the past year and that on-site septic activity is “well underway,” with several systems currently being installed. Lennis said the county’s total exceeded neighboring Powell County and was nearly equal to Deer Lodge County and Powell County combined for 2024, calling Granite County “the hot spot” among the three jurisdictions for new on-site systems.

Public health program staff described other ongoing work. Amanda (last name not specified in minutes), who presented tobacco-prevention activities, said a statewide bill (SB 390) to include e-cigarettes in the statutory definition of smoking advanced through the Legislature and was back in the Senate with an amendment, leaving a Senate hearing and the governor’s signature as remaining steps. Staff are coordinating with schools on prevention events, distributing quit-line materials to hospital and clinic sites, and planning summer activities with libraries.

Debbie Robinson and other public-health staff reported event planning and vendor commitments for a community health fair on the 28th (date given verbally), with 23 vendors and several career tables. Robinson and others also said the public health center faces incoming funding reductions: a grant that currently pays a public-health-center salary will end on July 1, and an immunization grant will be reduced by about $650 per quarter. Staff said they are exploring alternative funding sources and expect additional cuts.

Board staff also noted they will continue food-safety training using ServSafe curriculum across the Tri-County jurisdictions and that a foodborne-disease response form required a signature; staff presented the response documentation for signing.

The meeting included a procedural dispute about whether remote participants must appear on video to be counted for the meeting quorum or to give public comment; board staff and one remote participant, Elena Gagliano, debated whether the board’s video requirement unduly limited access. The board cited a state requirement and said its policy requires video for participation; the participant raised concerns about being muted when dialing by phone. The board did not change its policy during the meeting.

The board set its next quarterly meeting for June 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. and agreed to postpone the chair selection until a later meeting so new members can learn expectations and roles.

Votes and formal actions were recorded by voice vote; minutes show the bylaws motion carried with “ayes” but do not list individual roll-call votes.

Ending: The board’s immediate priorities are adapting to reduced grant funding and keeping planned training and prevention events on schedule. Staff said they will return with follow-up information at future meetings.