Health, wellness programs and loan fund updates presented to Coffey County Commission

Health Department Administrator Amelia Marchant updated the commission on upcoming provider and community events, including an annual provider meeting (April 22), a grant‑funded Safe Sleep community baby shower (April 30), Matter of Balance classes for older adults and employee wellness incentives. Marchant said department staff will present contract renewals for the county's nurse practitioner and pharmacist roles at an upcoming provider meeting and offered to provide commissioners with detailed flyers and budget clarifications.

Economic Development Director Jenny Chapman presented proposed updates to revolving loan fund guidelines to make loan terms and expectations more explicit for applicants: clarify that the fund is gap financing (not competing with local banks), set owner equity expectations (10–20% depending on project risk), identify typical loan terms for real estate vs. working capital, and strengthen application attachments and performance monitoring. Chapman reported five active loans that are current and a fund balance of about $426,287.49 after a recent loan payment; the fund is receiving roughly $5,000 monthly in repayments (net) from current loans, with one loan requiring a larger annual payment.

Commissioners discussed the risk of publicly setting a fixed equity requirement and asked for application documentation to justify any differences across projects. Chapman said she is researching the possibility of creating an external loan‑review board (local bankers, business leaders, city officials) to provide independent review and recommend approvals while avoiding conflicts of interest with local lenders.

The commission did not take formal action on the revolving loan guidelines at the meeting but asked staff to return with proposed language and any resolution or policy modifications needed for approval.