Jill Bender

The Board of Health meeting included a review of the Coroner's report for December, which detailed 17 deaths and monthly income and expenses. A review of current funds covered December expenditures and the Public Health budget status at 86% of the annual budget, along with an update on potential federal funding cuts to mental health services. Updates were provided on Public Health Preparedness, including the decommissioning of Federal Medical Stations and planning for future emergency objectives. Under Communicable Disease, discussions covered respiratory illness spikes and a DHS statement affirming current state guidance on Hepatitis A and B and Meningitis vaccination schedules despite federal changes. The Director reported on infrastructure strengthening, water lab audit preparation, and collaboration on community health assessment needs. The Board approved three policies: Newborn Screen Policy, Pulse Oximetry Policy, and Nitrate Lab Policy. The Agent program reported one facility shutdown which has resolved, and Environmental Health noted two open cases. WIC updates detailed information sharing efforts and upcoming food schedule changes affecting yogurt options.

The meeting commenced with confirmation of proper public notice and approval of previous minutes. Key discussion centered on updates regarding two submitted applications for partnership projects. One project, related to evaluating communication mediums for flood risk messaging, is slated to move forward this semester with a graduate student capstone project from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. The second project, concerning on-road structures, will likely be matched in the fall semester, involving engineering courses to develop decision matrices for investment locations and design renderings. Preparatory steps, termed 'scoping,' involve detailed questioning about project goals, deliverables, and necessary student skills. The board also discussed general partnership kickoff procedures, including creating public-facing web pages for project deliverables. Separately, a framework for a crisis messaging campaign developed at a Fishes and Farmers conference was offered for review concerning the communication project.

The meeting commenced with confirmation of proper public notice and checked for visitors wishing to speak, none were present. Discussions covered operational updates, including census numbers for Vernon Manor (54 residents, budgeted for 60) and Vernon Acres (20 residents, budgeted for 29). Staffing challenges persist in the nursing department, requiring agency use, though success was noted with two new CNAs graduating from an internal program. Open positions include nurse manager, LPNs, RNs, and CNAs for Vernon Manor, while Vernon Acres is hiring for fill-in positions. Financial reports showed Vernon Acres with a profit of over $200,000 through September, boosted by a county tax levy, and Vernon Manor projecting an income of over $800,000 (both unaudited). The Board is applying for a $75,000/year innovation grant for five years, with funds earmarked for capital improvements. A significant portion of the meeting involved reviewing quotes for a replacement handicap-accessible van, with a motion ultimately passing to approve the purchase of a 2026 Ford Transit model, as it was newer and cheaper than the 2025 option. Maintenance discussions focused on the parking lot, noting that approved funding did not pass the budget cutoff. The team plans temporary patching, but significant long-term repair (including drainage/grading, estimated at $500,000) is postponed due to budget constraints. Survey updates indicated that Vernon Manor is awaiting its survey window completion, while Vernon Acres has no anticipated survey soon. It was confirmed that no funds have been allocated for the spa project at Vernon Acres, though grant funds could potentially cover it.

The committee meeting addressed several key areas. The Veterans Services segment detailed December statistics, including 12 appeals and 17 new claims, and discussed the challenges of validating military documents due to potential fraud, noting the necessary steps for certification and state verification. Staffing limitations related to grant funding constraints were also discussed, preventing the addition of new personnel despite high demand. Key topics included an eviction case involving a veteran family, resource coordination with ADRC, and updates on veterans relocation grants for those moving to Vernon County. Furthermore, it was reported that the state approved adding a veteran identifier to driver's licenses for National Guard and Reserve members, which will simplify benefit verification. The committee also discussed ongoing efforts to digitize records for deceased veterans and plans for Find a Grave data entry. Department of Human Services reported December statistics, showing 5,457 total recipients and $43,919.40 in childcare benefit disbursements. Finally, there was discussion regarding lobbying for changes to the SNAP benefit program. The committee also discussed the economic impact of veterans services, noting that nearly $13 million in cash benefits went directly to veterans, in addition to $4 million in community care payments to local hospitals.

The meeting began with a procedural opening as the committee chair was absent, leading to a motion to excuse a member. Key discussions included the review of sheriff invoices, totaling $97,937.30, against revenues of $103,775 for the period, noting the complex balancing of 2025 and 2026 expenses. The sheriff's activity report detailed several notable events, such as honoring the family of a retired sheriff, a meeting concerning continuity of operations and disaster planning, and attendance at the Vernon County Crimestoppers annual meeting. Other activities included updates on detective staffing, the successful five-year inspection of the fire protection sprinkler system, and attendance at various local events and retirements. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a whole chunk request of over $26,000 to replace 13 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) purchased in 2012, with committee members discussing the lifecycle, battery replacements, and the benefit of standardizing the AED brand following a recent life-saving use of a newer unit. Finally, a presentation was given by the regional behavioral health manager regarding mental health care within the detention facility, highlighting the severe shortage of psychiatric beds in the state and the resulting challenges in managing inmates, especially those with competency restoration needs, which significantly extends their time incarcerated.