Health officer says department likely to retain staff despite contract reductions; town hall planned for July 14

Summit County Health Department Health Officer Phil told the Board of Health on July 7 that while the department has seen some contract reductions and a few contracts eliminated, the changes are small and the department expects to retain its full‑time workforce through the end of the year.

Phil said many contracts have arrived to the department after state allocation processes, and while some awards were reduced or eliminated, the eliminated items were not large dollar programs and the department can absorb those changes using restricted accounts. Staff had made some separations when contracts were uncertain, but Phil said he expects to retain full‑time employees and avoid layoffs based on current information.

The department is preparing its budget for submission to the county financial officer, Matt Levitt, by 5 p.m. on Aug. 4. Phil said division directors are drafting budget requests and staff will present a high‑level budget to the board on Aug. 4; as in prior years, the board will be asked to approve submission with a caveat that staff retain flexibility to amend the budget during county budget review. The department plans to present more detailed budget materials to the county council in late October or November.

Phil said the department will hold a staff town hall on Monday, July 14 to update employees on funding and what to expect for the remainder of the fiscal year.