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Clinton County health director previews staffing changes, balances and program spending
Summary
Melissa Osler told the county council the health department is moving to reorganize positions, close dormant accounts and use Health First Indiana funds to expand community‑based partners; she also asked the council to expect job description reviews and later appropriations for a part‑time public health liaison and other staffing adjustments.
Melissa Osler, Clinton County health department administrator, told the county council at its May meeting that the department is in the midst of a restructuring and is tracking steady program activity and modest revenue changes from state funding.
Osler said Health First Indiana funding rose by about $2,600 for community‑based programming, bringing the department’s Health First total to $196,464.95, and that the public health emergency planning grant has about $10,000 remaining for trailer and generator repairs. She said 13 dormant county accounts were identified for closure and that the department will work with the auditor and State Board of Accounts on the process for retiring those accounts.
"This is Melissa Osler the Clinton County Health Department administrator," she said, opening her report and then listing program metrics and staffing needs. Osler said the department performed more than 674 direct services recently — including immunizations, mobile lung screens and community education — and noted distribution of donated sunscreen and oral‑health supplies to residents.
Osler asked the council to expect proposed job‑classification changes. She said one part‑time position in the budget (about $12,000) lacks a finalized job description and will be reviewed with the job classification committee; she also proposed reclassifying the immunization nurse to an immunization clinic coordinator to better reflect the work now required of that role. Two clinical staff have requested a change from 32 to 35 weekly hours to reduce overtime and comp‑bank pressure.
The department is also planning to request a deputy health administrator designation as a contingency for leadership continuity. On fund cleanup, Osler said 10 of 13 dormant accounts likely should be closed and that one account holds about $4,300 tied to a lead management grant; staff will consult with the county attorney and SBOA on required ordinances.
Council members thanked Osler for the written report and asked that job‑description changes go first to the job classification committee for review before returning to the full council. Osler said funding for the proposed positions will be identified in upcoming appropriation requests and clarified that much of the work is supported through Health First Indiana dollars.
The report provided a schedule for upcoming board meetings and said the department will circulate job‑description materials to council members in advance of committee review.
