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Commissioners unanimously agree to fund Lions Club vision screener for county children
Summary
Following a presentation from the Gates County Lions Club, the board approved moving $7,819.44 from county fund balance to support purchase of a PlusOptix vision screener to expand free early vision screenings in schools and community programs.
The Gates County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to fund the purchase of a PlusOptix vision screener for the Gates County Lions Club, approving an amended motion to move $7,819.44 from county fund balance to cover the quoted cost.
Jennifer Sanford and Lindsay Vick, speaking for the Lions Club, described the KidSight screening program and the training the club’s members have already completed. Sanford said the machine would allow volunteers to provide free, objective screenings for children from six months through high school and produce immediate printouts that could be shared with school nurses or parents. "This technology will enable us to expand our outreach across the county," Sanford said.
Commissioners asked practical questions about school partnerships, parental consent forms, follow-up procedures and whether the device could substitute for a full ophthalmologist exam. The Lions Club clarified that the machine detects refractive errors and amblyopia risk factors but does not replace a comprehensive dilated eye exam; it will flag children who should be referred to eye-care professionals.
Because the Lions Club already trained volunteer screeners and worked with the preschool coordinator at Gatesville, commissioners said the purchase represented a low-cost way to expand screening access in a county with no resident optometrists. Chair Emily Truman noted the club provided a recent vendor quote, and a commissioner moved to fund the full quoted amount from the county’s fund balance; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously with direction that staff bring a formal budget amendment to the next meeting.
The county’s action will allow the Lions Club to pursue screenings at schools, Head Start, community events and other venues. The board also highlighted the group’s larger role in community health events, including the organization’s role in the upcoming Christmas parade.
Next steps: finance staff will prepare the budget amendment for formal approval at the next meeting; the Lions Club will coordinate with school nurses, confirm parental consent processes and schedule screenings once the device is procured.
