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Public health department outlines budget, van outreach and $150,000 prevention project
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Summary
Jamie Anderson presented Columbia County Public Health’s program and funding overview, reporting roughly $1.4 million in departmental budget after fees, recent inspection activity increases, a mobile outreach van deployment and a planned $150,000 substance‑use prevention project in June.
Jamie Anderson, introduced to commissioners as the public‑health presenter, summarized the department's programs, funding sources and near‑term projects.
Anderson said the department's budget after administrative fees is about $1,400,000 and cited a mix of Oregon Health Authority intergovernmental grants, environmental health fee revenue, opioid settlement funds and general‑fund support. The department is in the process of accepting a new $10,000 grant to support mobile outreach.
On environmental public health, Anderson reported inspections are up through February and noted an increase in licensing activity, with another roughly 100 temporary‑event licenses expected during the summer and fall event season. The department completed a Columbia County public‑health modernization plan and a community health assessment and plans a Day of Service and a health fair in Saint Helens this weekend in partnership with OHSU and Columbia Health Services.
Anderson described operational work on a mobile outreach van used for lactation support (in partnership with WIC), immunizations and other outreach; Public Works helped ready the vehicle for field deployment. The department expects to recruit an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to support preparedness and plans to implement a $150,000 substance‑use prevention project in June and launch a retail‑licensing program in July.
She also told commissioners the department is expanding health services in the county jail as part of opioid‑settlement work and is running emergency resident rotations to train new staff. Anderson closed by noting staff will return with refined staffing and accountability metrics after receiving commissioner feedback on the modernization plan.
The chair then read an executive‑session notice citing state ORS authority to consult with counsel about probable litigation and asked the public and non‑designated attendees to leave for the closed session.
