County approves child‑care plan with MST contract, prosecutor grant and a vaccine fee increase

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 6 approved several budget and program items affecting county services and public health.

The board approved the FY 2005–2006 Child Care Fund Annual Plan and Budget that must be submitted for eligibility for 50% reimbursement. Family Court Administrator Michael Boltz said the county must submit the plan and requested execution of a Multisystemic Therapy (MST) services provider agreement with Summit Pointe; the transcript states Summit Pointe will provide $85,000 toward the program. The board authorized the chairman to execute plan documents and the MST provider agreement.

Separately, Finance Director James Latham asked the board to approve the FY 2005–2006 Title IV‑D Cooperative Reimbursement Grant application for the Prosecutor’s Office in the amount of $556,876. Latham said the grant funds eight full‑time employees and requires a 34% local match funded by the General Fund; the board authorized the chairman to execute the application.

On health fees, the board approved increasing the pneumonia vaccine charge from $29 to $35 so the Health Department can charge the maximum Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rate. Nursing Clinic Team Manager Ginger Hentz said the increase reflects higher vaccine and administration costs. The vaccine fee increase passed by a 6–1 roll‑call vote; Commissioner Strowbridge cast the lone no vote.

Why it matters: the child‑care plan and MST agreement provide services to at‑risk youth with partial external reimbursement; the Title IV‑D grant supports child‑support enforcement staff; the fee change aligns local charges with federal reimbursement rules.

Next steps: county staff will execute required documents and implement the fee change; program outcomes and MST effectiveness will be reported — Boltz said a report on recidivism and effectiveness will be provided at year end.