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Public Health outlines staffing strain, seeks grant-writing capacity; PHEP coordinator approved
Summary
Josephine County Public Health presented service volumes and staffing shortfalls, highlighted plans to expand telehealth and outreach, and received committee approval for a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator while a WIC certifier position drew no motion.
Janet Fredrickson, Public Health Administrator for Josephine County, presented the Public Health proposed FY2026-27 budget and described wide-ranging department responsibilities including Environmental Health, Communicable Disease, Clinic services, WIC, Vital Records, Animal Shelter oversight, jail medical services, air quality monitoring and the planned Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) responsibilities.
Fredrickson described recent staffing losses and rising service demand across the county and emphasized the departments intention to pursue additional grant funding and a countywide grant writer to stabilize long-term operations. In presentation slides she noted, “Every single resident, whether they know it or not, benefits every day, because of the work we do at Public Health.”
The department's slides cited operational metrics: the clinic performs an average of about 1,664 vaccinations per year and Vital Records issued 597 birth certificates and 3,248 death certificates at the counter in FY 2023-24. WIC program figures included roughly $2 million spent by WIC participants locally and $14,404 in Farm Direct Nutritional Program payments to area farmers in 2025.
During deliberations, the committee did not move to add a WIC Certifier (1.00 FTE). However, a motion to add a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (1.00 FTE) and the associated interfund transfer for partial General Fund support was moved by Ron Smith, seconded by Dorothy Yetter, and carried 5-1.
Fredrickson and staff also outlined goals for FY27: add telehealth appointment options, expand outreach to underserved populations, hire a grant writer, and strengthen partnerships with neighboring counties for clinic events and outreach.
The committees approval of the PHEP coordinator moves that role into the FY27 staffing plan; the Budget Officer will reflect that amendment in the adopted budget documents.
