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Board orders quick review after finance flags large deficit in Public Health fund
Summary
County finance staff reported the Public Health program may be running a significant deficit in the 2024‑25 budget; the board asked for an immediate review team (commissioner member, finance and HR) to clarify the fund balance and propose short‑term fixes ahead of the county budget cycle.
County finance staff told the Board of Commissioners that preliminary accounting indicates Josephine County Public Health may be running a substantial negative fund balance for fiscal 2024‑25 and asked the board to authorize a small review team to examine the numbers and propose corrective steps.
Finance reported a running deficit on the public health fund that staff estimated at roughly $51,000 per month as of the briefing. Extrapolated over the remaining fiscal year, board staff said that could imply a multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar shortfall unless corrected. Public Health and finance representatives told commissioners that the program carries numerous grants and frequent amendments, which complicates cash timing and reporting.
Given the immediacy of the concern, the board asked for a small team — one commissioner member, finance and human resources staff, and Public Health leadership — to convene quickly to reconcile accounts, identify causes (including billing and reimbursement timing), and propose actions to restore a positive fund balance. Commissioner Smith volunteered to represent the board on the review team; Finance Manager Ruth Nelson and Human Resources staff were named as participants. The board asked for reporting as soon as possible; staff said they would aim to present clarifying documentation and recommendations to the board by the next business meeting or earlier if available.
Commissioners said they preferred early, decisive action and requested documentation that substantiates any deficit figures, including grant draws, billing receivables and monthly fund balances. The directive is intended to clarify the current 2024‑25 fiscal position and to inform the 2025‑26 budget process.
