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Kosciusko County Board of Health approves 2027 health budget as members debate use of COVID set-aside funds
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Summary
The Kosciusko County Board of Health approved the county’s 2027 health budget — roughly $470,000 in Health First funding — after members debated whether COVID-era and 10% set-aside funds should require prior board approval and be restricted to duties defined by state law.
The Kosciusko County Board of Health voted to adopt its 2027 health budget after a presentation by a health department representative about program priorities and funding. The representative said the county’s Health First allocation for 2027 is expected to be about $470,000 and asked the board for approval.
Why it matters: The board’s discussion focused not only on the line-item budget but also on roughly $600,000 earned during the county’s COVID vaccination response that remains largely unspent. One board member urged formal limits and prior board approval for spending those funds, citing the need to preserve resources if Health First funding ends in future years.
During the meeting, an agency official reported, “we earned approximately 600,000 in giving those shots, and we have spent a 105,000 thus far in supplementing our general budget for things that we needed at the health department.” The official added that there is still “over 500,000 left.”
Board member Larry proposed a motion to require prior Board of Health approval before spending excess funds from the COVID set-aside and the 10% reserve, and to limit use of those funds to duties of the local health department as defined by state law. Larry said the intent was to “control these funds for specific uses.” Several members responded that current practice already channels Health First dollars toward KPOs and department goals but agreed that documentation would be useful to remove any ambiguity.
The chair called for a motion on the 2027 budget; the motion to "pass the '27 health versus Kosciuszko budget" was seconded and carried on a voice vote in which all recorded members said "aye." The transcript shows 43 "aye" entries; the mover was not specified in the minutes. The board did not adopt a separate, written policy at this meeting to formalize prior approval for use of the COVID or 10% set-aside funds, though members discussed documenting the approval process.
Other notes: Board members emphasized prudence in spending because future Health First funding beyond 2027 is uncertain. The health department representative said that, where appropriate, some HFI dollars have been used for staff salaries that support program goals, and that the department is planning to advertise and recruit for a part-time backup position using existing funds.
The board set the next meeting for July 13 and adjourned.
