By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

City-County Health District board members were updated on the 2007 financial report by Director Theresa Will at the regular board meeting Tuesday.
President Sharon Buhr noted they did end up “in the plus.” Will agreed with this assessment, but said there will be at least an additional $48,000 for Home Care claims that should be added on to the balance for an ending balance of more than about $100,000, once they get the Home Care billing issue resolved and get their money from Medicare. Will said they will still be short of what they had projected for the end of 2007. Part of that is because of increased insurance costs.
She said nothing has been done with CCHD’s request to change their name from City-County Health Department to City-County Health District with the IRS, as the employee identification number (which the IRS told them to use) was inactive. The IRS replied that they don’t know if any of that information was received by them. Will contacted the taxpayer advocacy line and should hear from them within a few days. “We need to get this issue cleared up so we can get back on track,” Will said.
Home Care did end 2007 with 79 Medicare admits which compared to 70 in 2006. They are working on comparison statistics for other payers and public health home visits also.
The budget line items were explained by Will. She said the most alarming over spent item in 2007 was CCHD salaries, which was over by $20,000. This is due mainly to the fact that they orientated two new nurses in 2007, and the additional time which was spent keeping up with changes to the immunization program.
Total amendments to the budget amounted to $41,200.
A Network grant request to use funds for an electronic sign has been approved. Will will be getting that rolling in the next few days as these funds need to be expended by Feb. 28, 2008. Daily health messages will run on the sign, as well as health related event messages. The sign will go in when the ground is thawed.
Will said she talked with the county commissioners and they approved an increase in the hourly rate for jail nursing to $30 a hour.
A flu vaccine update showed that 1,750 flu shots were given in 2007, compared to 1,500 in 2006; 1,650 in 2005; and 1,460 in 2004. Will said 2007 was the most flu shots they’ve given in the last four years. She said anyone wanting a flu shot can still get one at the City-County Health office.
In new business, the election of officers for 2008 was discussed. Board member Cindy Schwehr moved that the present officers be re-elected. Buhr agreed to remain as chair of the board, and Tom Overn was re-elected vice chair.
Will reviewed the changes in the suggested donation/fee schedule. The board approved the raise in the suggested fees to cover costs. It was noted that this is the third year there has been no increase in the Environmental Health contract. The board approved this contract, and also gave their approval of policies as presented.
A public health assessment orientation will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., at the courthouse, which board members plan on attending.
Will said there are two things concerning the tobacco program the board should know about. She gave a warning that City-County Health may not receive funding for this program for three months. This is true for the whole state, she said. The second thing is that the Tobacco Prevention coordinator has requested taking a cut in pay to allow nicotine replacement therapy/Chantix costs to continue to be paid for by the Tobacco Prevention Program. Using these products greatly increases the success of those trying to quit using tobacco. She doesn’t want to cut that aspect of her program. The board gave their approval and lauded the coordinator for her dedication to tobacco prevention.
Will said she will monitor the issue of the increase in employee health insurance and its effect on the budget for the next six months. This item will be put on the agenda, and the board will discuss this issue as it comes up. Will said things aren’t shaping up the way she thought they would on the insurance issue.
The next meeting is Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. at the Barnes County Courthouse.