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Health director flags vaccine revenue but urges stable funding; commissioners discuss sales tax
Summary
Health Services Director Melissa Miller said vaccines are the Health Department's largest expense and revenue source and that grant revenue is unstable; commissioners discussed a future half-cent sales tax for sustained funding and potential rate increases for health services.
Health Services Director Melissa Miller presented the Health Department proposed 2027 budget ($935,995) and walked commissioners through grant, revenue and expense projections. Miller said vaccines represent both the largest expense and the largest revenue generator and that the department will continue adjusting vaccine prices. She cautioned that grant funding is unstable and confirmed the department accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Commissioners discussed long-term funding strategies. Commissioner Berges asked whether projected sales tax increases that fund the health department were realistic and suggested a half-cent sales tax earmarked for health services as a viable path for the 2030 renewal; County Administrator Darin Myers called a half-cent tax the best way to build broad support. No formal action was taken; the item remains a funding option to be refined in later budget work sessions.
