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Boone County health staff report staffing hires, 2026 budget and disease trends
Summary
Health department staff reported hiring a public-health nurse, presented 2026 budget figures (total $1,259,257.74 with $883,009.14 county funds and $375,003.43 Health First Indiana funds), and reviewed communicable-disease activity and clinic immunization totals for November–December.
Mindy, the Boone County health administrator, told the board on Jan. 21 that the department hired a second public-health nurse, Carla Merritt, who will begin Jan. 26. She outlined budget and grant allocations and reviewed communicable-disease surveillance and clinic activity.
Mindy gave preliminary 2026 budget numbers: a total health-care budget of $1,259,257.74, with $883,009.14 from county funds and $375,003.43 from Health First Indiana (state) funds. The HFI funds include $36,000 set aside for community grants allocated across three categories: trauma and injury ($24,000), maternal-child health ($6,000), and communicable-disease prevention ($6,000). One grant approved so far will fund a naloxone box outside Riggs Health Boone County’s office.
On disease monitoring, staff reported 32 communicable-disease investigations during the period, including a salmonella case later linked to a multistate cluster. Two varicella (chickenpox) breakthrough cases were identified in the same daycare class; both children recovered. The department noted rising influenza activity and reported 39 COVID-19 cases with one November death, while cautioning that home testing likely reduces official counts. The department also reported lead-elevated blood-level notifications and three latent tuberculosis cases (two treated through the health department; one lost to follow-up).
Clinic activity: November saw 131 patients and 204 vaccines administered; December had 78 patients and 154 vaccines; combined vaccine administrations for November and December totaled 358. The department continues to provide walk-in flu shots and appointment-based COVID vaccinations, plus homebound vaccinations when needed.
Mindy also described pending changes to the childhood immunization schedule under federal guidance, noting the department is waiting for state and advisory committee recommendations before altering local practice.
What’s next: Staff will return with a draft internal health plan and a proposed mission/vision/values statement for board review at the March meeting, and continue monitoring infectious-disease trends and vaccine guidance.
