Commissioners approve health preparedness contract: $19,000 for contractor plus $6,000 for phones, training and AI tools

Health director Scott Wagner presented a preparedness grant contract and the proposed budget to the Whitley County Board of Commissioners. "Like I said, the up to 19,000 to the contractor. The remaining 6,000 be split between phone bills for the health department and training software or the AI software for the EMA office," Wagner said, describing the plan to hire a contractor and to implement AI software so staff can maintain plans internally over time.

Wagner said the contractor would be paid monthly beginning in August and that he would serve as a backup contact in the office. Commissioners voted to approve the contract as presented; the chair said the contract will be signed and returned so payments can begin per the contract schedule.

Wagner also proposed the health department serve as a resource location and allow a vetted volunteer to meet with residents a few times a week to help connect people to services when transportation or other barriers exist. Commissioners agreed with the concept and instructed staff to ensure volunteers have proper credentials and to protect patient privacy under HIPAA.

The approval authorizes staff to execute the contract and proceed with the budgeted contractor payments and the smaller allocations for phones, training and the EMA AI tool. Details about the selected contractor and the precise AI product were not specified at the meeting; the board directed staff to proceed under the contract terms and return with any required documentation.