Chickasaw County Board of Health approves $30,303 well grant, hires aide and adopts VaxCare

Toni Friedrich, chair of the Chickasaw County Board of Health, led the board in a series of routine approvals at the June 12 meeting at the Chickasaw County Community Services Building, including a reduced private well grant and several staffing and program decisions.

The board voted to sign the Private Well Grant Contract for 2026–2027 for $30,303, a reduction from last year’s award, with ayes from Joan Knoll, Karen Sinnwell, Dr. Brinkman and Friedrich; Jeremy McGrath was absent. The grant will support private well testing and related environmental‑health services in the county.

Lisa Welter, RN, Chickasaw County Public Health Agency administrator, reported May home‑health statistics: a total census of 60 patients (7 Medicare, 2 Medicare HMO, 23 Medicaid, 14 VA, 14 other), 11 referrals, 8 admissions, 3 failed admissions and 9 discharges; staff logged 139 nurse visits, 237 aide visits, 193 homemaker visits and 65 therapy visits. Welter said the agency is distributing educational materials to hospitals and clinics to clarify documentation requirements for admissions.

Welter asked for and received approval to hire a part‑time on‑call home care aide for up to 20 hours per week, using funds earmarked for vaccines so no budget amendment is needed. The motion to hire was made by Dr. Brinkman and seconded by Sinnwell and passed unanimously among members present.

To boost billing and coding accuracy for Medicare claims, the board approved contracting with Healthcare Strategies to provide coding at $38 per chart and combined coding and OASIS services at $48 per chart, following a study the agency cited indicating increased Medicare revenue if coding is outsourced. The motion was moved by Joan Knoll and seconded by Dr. Brinkman.

The board approved routine financial items: Public Health claims totaling $11,841.91, mileage claims of $2,593.35 (for a Public Health total of $14,435.26), Environmental Health claims of $2,864.61 and a grand total of $17,299.87. Payroll for pay periods ending May 10, May 24 and June 7, 2026, was also approved.

Welter reported a correction to administrator and assistant administrator wage figures in the 2026–2027 budget requested by private auditors; the board approved the corrected wage figures and reapproved the budget line items, and the change did not alter the overall budget total.

On public‑health programming, the board approved participating in VaxCare as the agency’s vaccine provider. Welter said VaxCare will supply vaccines, syringes and alcohol wipes, charge a $20 monthly service fee and retain a small portion of vaccine administration fees; participation will broaden the agency’s vaccine offerings and eliminate the agency’s need to purchase influenza vaccine directly. The motion to adopt VaxCare passed with all members present voting aye.

The board approved sending Environmental Health Specialist Derek Lechtenberg for certification as a Radon Measurement Specialist, using Combat to Cancer grant funds to cover training costs; the agency will buy test equipment and intends to recover equipment costs through testing fees. Dr. Brinkman recommended separate fee schedules for in‑county and out‑of‑county testing that incorporate mileage.

The board authorized Administrator Lisa Welter to serve as signatory authority for the Combat to Cancer Grant. Anita Eschweiler, BOH secretary, reported that the State Grant was exhausted in May and that the Chickasaw County Emergency Preparedness grant has run out of funds; staff continue to submit claims for regional funds and continue billing for Combat to Cancer and opioid funds as applicable.

Welter also reported four communicable disease cases in May (one Shigella, one Salmonella and two Cryptosporidiosis) and one dog bite incident.

Dr. Brinkman signed the standing order to administer the rotavirus vaccine to infants during the meeting.

The board set its next meeting for July 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 9:58 a.m.