Elbert County public health director outlines staffing, clinic services and blood‑drive gains

Elbert County Public Health Director Sarah McIntosh briefed the Board of County Commissioners on July 22, outlining recent staffing additions, clinic activity, environmental health work and community outreach.

McIntosh said the public health department now has five full‑time staff and several contract and per‑diem positions to support clinic and environmental health operations. "So 1st update to our staff, we now have 5 full time staff at the public health department," she told the board. She named an environmental health specialist, clinic administrative staff, a family nurse practitioner working four days a week, and other support personnel.

The director reported roughly $21,000 in clinic revenue for the most recent quarter after a period without a provider, and said clinic visits were lower while the mix of services produced more revenue. She described services the clinic offers — pediatric through senior care, immunizations, TB testing, lab draws, sports physicals and DOT medical exams — and encouraged residents to call the front desk to schedule same‑day or near‑term appointments.

On environmental health, McIntosh said the department issued 28 new on‑site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) permits this quarter, completed 61 repairs and processed 124 use permits tied to property transfers. "O WTS inspections are right on par with where we did last year," she said, noting modest revenue increases linked to a state fee adjustment.

McIntosh also discussed vital records and WIC services, saying vital records revenue rose after a state fee increase (about $5,000 last year and nearly $4,000 so far this year). She said Douglas County continues to host a monthly WIC day at the Elizabeth Library and that county officials are exploring a second location.

On outreach, the director urged residents to complete a nine‑question community health needs assessment survey open through July 29 and said findings will be presented to the board on August 26. McIntosh highlighted public events and previews for a county health fair and said recent blood drives yielded 25 units — the most since the program began — with the next drive scheduled for Oct. 14.

She also noted a boil‑water advisory in one neighborhood over the weekend that has since been lifted and thanked Road and Bridge staff for delivering bottled water. McIntosh said the department is exploring the rural health center designation to access new rural health transformation grants, and reminded residents to contact the health department for assistance with symptoms or questions.

Commissioners praised outreach efforts and asked about marketing, school sports physicals and the state fee increases. McIntosh said the department is promoting clinic services and can accommodate school and community needs. The board closed the Board of Health presentation without further action.