Observer Report
Riley County-Manhattan Board of Health
Wednesday, February 24, 2010


Dr, Paul Benne, Vice President, chaired the meeting in the absence of
President Brady Burton who had business at the State Capitol to attend to. The first order of business was a vote to require that additions or changes to the agenda be made prior to beginning the discussion of the agenda. Charles Murphy, Administrator. requested discussion and direction from the board concerning the Food Service Inspection position be added,
Mr. Murphy explained that since the loss of the state funding for local food service inspections he has reassigned the person who had held that position to HINI activities which had funds available as he felt that there was a good chance that the position of food inspector might be supported by the City and County in upcoming actions. He also requested the board’s approval for him to represent the board at subsequent meetings of the city and county commissioners for that purpose. Mr. Murphy stated the reasoning for this was to retain an already trained employee rather than start anew if the funding did become available. Discussion followed with Dr. Derek Moser making a very strong recommendation that Food Service Inspection was very important and that the state plan for taking over this activity was inadequate and that the Health Department certainly should plan to continue these inspections. The Board voted to instruct Mt. Murphy to use reserve funds to support the food Inspection program until and whether the city and county acts and to retain the already trained employee and that he seek support from the County and City.
A balance sheet, as requested by board member Bob Strawn, was reviewed Discussion followed and was defined by Mr. Strawn as not “micro-managing” but as an important requirement of board members to understand the financial situation and actions of the Department. Mr. Murphy again reminded the board that the Department does not function with standard funding coming and going each month but that since so much is done through grants and that each grant functions differently the income varies considerably. As an example he noted that they recently received notice that the Ryan White Grant will be cut by half which will impact the case management program. Another grant is being sought based on prevention. The department has 8 grant proposals due in March. A note to this is a reminder that the Health Educator position will not be filled after the present educator retires this month. Mr. Strawn requested continuing efforts to make the Health Department finances clear to the board.
A County Health Rankings report done by the Robert Woods Johnson foundation and the Wisconsin Population Health Institute have designated Riley County as the second healthiest county in Kansas. Three measures of greatest concern cited were Binge Drinking, Chlamydia, and Uninsured Adults.
By-Laws and suggested changes and updates were reviewed. The rule is to review the by-laws in one month and vote on them the next. The identified goals of the Health Department for 2010 as identified by the board were reviewed including strategies for attaining the goals. New Board members were introduced, Debby Nuss, who was present, is appointed by the County. and Dr. Daniel Winter, who was not present, will represent the Dental community,

Submitted by Sue Cohen