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County finance panel hears health department audit showing loss; Head Start funding flagged
Summary
Finance committee reported a clean audit but the county health department recorded an $871,600 loss and a $348,981 unrestricted fund balance; commissioners approved several health department contracts and a fee reduction to keep school meal service running through year end.
The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners reviewed a finance committee report that included an audit presentation showing an unmodified (clean) opinion from Anderson Tackman & Company and a reported operating loss for the health department.
Commissioner Shackleton said the health department showed a loss of $871,600, leaving an unrestricted fund balance of $348,981, largely attributed to winding down the county home-health program. The finance committee moved to accept and publish the audit as presented.
The board approved several grant-funded health department advertising contracts (Lamar billboards for family planning $20,000; Lamar medical-marijuana $3,200; LSSU Dasher Board placements $4,400; Sovereign Communications radio ads $15,000). It also approved an independent contractor agreement for maternal and infant health program services with Lisa Taptrough at $75 per visit (effective April 1 through June 30 or until a permanent social worker is hired), and a renewal retainer for Abilita telecommunications services (24 months at $375 per month). A Brightree home-health records contract was authorized at a first-year rate of $2,250 with estimated subsequent annual costs of $3,500.
Separately, commissioners approved a reduced food license fee of $71 for Sioux Area public schools to enable continued meal service as Washington and Lincoln elementary schools close for the school year.
Commissioners expressed concern about Head Start funding after staff noted Head Start was not in the first federal budget draft and that local programs had limited operating funds through Oct. 31. Several commissioners said they plan to monitor federal and state budget developments and discuss possible outreach to legislative representatives.
Ending: The board approved the audit, several health contracts and the school food license fee change; commissioners said they would follow the Head Start funding situation as federal and state budgets progress.
