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Clinton County health director cleared to begin spending on PEF grant after restructuring
Summary
The county health department told the council it received final signatures on Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant 8123 and restructured spending to keep coordinators in-house rather than hire an intern; the council authorized staff to start invoicing while formal appropriation paperwork is completed next month.
The Clinton County Council gave the health department the go-ahead Nov. 1 to begin using funds from the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PEF) grant 8123 after the department presented a restructuring of how the grant will be spent.
Melissa Osler of the health department said the county recently received the attorney-general–signed contract for grant 8123 and noted the grant cycle runs from July through the following June. Rather than hiring a temporary intern position as in prior cycles, Osler said the health department will designate internal staff as PEF coordinators and use more of the grant to fund education, conferences, mobile-clinic supplies and equipment to ensure lasting value.
"We are now green light on 8123 grant," Osler told the council, describing the change as a move to retain institutional knowledge and pay for trainings and supplies rather than a short-term salary expense. She said the revised structure requires designating a coordinator and a backup, both of whom must meet credentialing and training requirements.
Councilmember Mary moved and Mike seconded a motion to accept Osler's presentation and allow the health department to start submitting invoices and encumbering grant funds while the formal appropriation process is completed next month; the chair announced the motion carried 7–0. Osler said she will bring appropriation paperwork back to the council in January if needed and will work with the auditor to ensure proper tracking.
Osler also summarized other health-department funding: a dormant local fund referred to as LHDTA ("12 o 6" in meeting discussion) that the department plans to draw on for clinic items and outreach, and two immunization-related funds that operate as revolving accounts for vaccine purchases and travel immunization clinics. She highlighted that local transit partner Paul Phillipi provides more than 155 rides daily for county residents and praised county clinic vaccination performance.
Context: The PEF grant pays for preparedness-related items such as personal protective equipment, emergency broadcast equipment, and mobile-clinic maintenance. The council's permission to begin invoicing allows the health department to move forward on time-sensitive purchases while final appropriation documents are prepared.
Next steps: Health department staff will submit detailed appropriation paperwork to the auditor and return to council as required by county appropriation procedures.
