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Tri‑County health director warns of staffing and federal‑funding cliff in annual report
Summary
Tri‑County health director Kirk Bench told Duchesne County commissioners the department is operating with fewer staff and faces potential funding reductions when COVID‑response funds expire in 2026–27; he highlighted high local rates of overdose and suicide and outlined prevention programs and services at risk.
Kirk Bench, director of the health department, told the Duchesne County Commission on March 24 that the department is operating with a reduced workforce and faces fiscal pressure if federal funding levels change.
Bench opened his annual report by noting the department is created by an interlocal agreement between three counties and that most revenue is federal grants passed through the state, with charges for services and some state grants making up the remainder. "The bulk of our revenue is still federal grants that are passed through from the state of Utah," he said.
Bench said the health department has been limiting rehiring since 2024 and is "at our lowest total number of employees since I came in 2021." He warned that while many federal contracts are on staggered five‑year terms, COVID‑response funds are…
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