Contractor and resident complain to commissioners about Health Department conduct and septic process

Two members of the public used the June 15 meeting to sharply criticize Putnam County's Health Department for permitting practices and staff conduct. Contractor Jermiah Latta of Latta Construction said he has worked statewide but "this is the first time he has run into any kind of issue with a county," alleging Health Department requests for nonconstruction information repeatedly delayed projects. Latta told the board he would "strongly discourage anyone from coming into this county due to the hurdles he has encountered because of the health department."

Resident Larry Fox described his difficulties obtaining septic approval for a new home in Reelsville. Fox said a health-department employee acted "completely unprofessional, rude," and that the employee "wadded up his paperwork and threw it in the trash in front of him." He said he was required to hire a listed professional installer, which raised his cost to about $20,000 compared with roughly $5,400 for materials; he also said the professional he hired "completely botched the job" and that local installers told him they upcharge Putnam County projects to offset dealing with the department.

The minutes record these allegations but do not include a departmental response or a commissioner directive to investigate during the same meeting. The claims remain unresolved in the record; commissioners did not record a formal inquiry or follow-up assignment in the minutes. Those who wish to pursue claims or request review should contact the Health Department or the county office for next steps as the minutes do not specify remedy or investigation plans.