Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Halifax County Board of Health seeks county fund balance support to avoid staff furloughs, approves FY26–27 budget request and fee updates
Summary
The board was told the Health Department needs an additional $416,076 in county funds to avoid 14 furlough days per employee; members moved to request a county management letter about remaining fund balance, and they approved the FY2026–27 budget request and updated service fees.
Ms. Betty Reese, Assistant Health Director and Finance Officer, presented the FY2026–27 financial report to the Board of Health on March 23, saying the department identified an additional $416,076 in county dollars needed to balance the budget and avoid about 14 furlough days per staff member.
Reese said operating expenditures dropped slightly between FY25 and FY27 but projected capital outlay would rise by $259,553 to cover items including an incinerator for Animal Control (about $110,000), an Environmental Health vehicle (about $35,000) and a new server. The budget also builds in a 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for 58 full‑time positions; a salary increase line totaling $320,529 was included but excludes part‑time staff, sign‑on bonuses and recent hires.
Revenue lines showed federal and state increases of about $156,000 but the department reported earlier timing issues with Medicaid reimbursements: Reese and Mr. Stephen Gamer (Medicaid analyst, cited in the discussion) noted that Medicaid payments historically arrived late and were often carried forward into the fund balance, which affects cash flow decisions.
Following the financial presentation, Health Director Cheyenna James asked the board for a formal letter from county management stating the amount of funds remaining in the Health Department’s fund balance and indicating that those funds may be used for public health services as feasible. Mr. Louis V. "Pete" Mann III moved the request and Mr. Sammy Webb seconded; the motion carried.
James also presented updated FY26–27 fees for board review, noting increases in some Environmental Health permit and sample fees and that certain medications remain available under 340B. Mr. Mann moved to approve the FY26–27 Budget Request and the updated fees; Dr. Eric Cunningham seconded and the motion carried.
The board briefly discussed facility investments raised earlier — including the purchase or reuse of closed school buildings and the tradeoffs of a mobile unit versus a brick‑and‑mortar clinic — and favored a permanent site to support ongoing services, vaccine storage and program stability. The board adjourned after routine comments and an invitation to the Public Health Fair on April 17.
