The regular meeting of the Columbus Board of Health was held in the
Administration Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Center on
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at 1:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
H. Banks Carroll, M. D.
Mrs. Brenda Dozier
James A. Lawrence, D. D. S.
Todd Jarrell, M. D.
Mayor Jim Wetherington
Howard Willis, M. D.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Isaiah Hugley
OTHERS PRESENT:
David Arrington for Mr. Hugley
Dr. Zsolt Koppanyi
Mr. Bill Rumer
Pam Middleton
Eileen Albritton
Karon Bush
Sheila Mayfield
Pam Fair
Joanne Strickland
Christy Kuriatnyk
Charlene Ellis
Mayor Wetherington introduced David Arrington who was substituting for Mr.
Hugley at today?s meeting.
Dr. Carroll stated that all members were aware that Dr. Sullivan had passed
away recently and the meal that was ordered for lunch today was in honor of Dr.
Sullivan. The meal ordered was country fried steak which was Dr. Sullivan?s
favorite. Dr. Carroll asked that the Board Members bow their heads in a moment
of remembrance of Dr. Sullivan and afterwards the blessing was asked.
Dr. Carroll called the meeting to order and asked if there were any questions
or comments on the previous minutes of September 24, 2008. There was one
correction located in the second paragraph; Ms. Brenda Dozier was absent last
month due to a ?family emergency? instead of health reasons. Dr. Carroll asked
for any other changes. There being none, Dr. Carroll asked for a motion to
approve the minutes. A motion was made by Dr. Lawrence, seconded by Ms. Dozier
and approved by those members present.
Dr. Carroll asked for any Excused Absences for today. He stated that Dr. Willis
was absent due to his clinic schedule. Dr. Carroll asked for a motion to
approve the Excused Absences. A motion was made by Ms. Dozier, seconded by Dr.
Jarrell and approved by those members present. Dr. Koppanyi mentioned that Mr.
Saidla was on furlough leave due to the budget cut guidelines mandated from the
State. Dr. Carroll stated that Dr. Willis? term on the board expires on
December 31, 2008 and the board members need to be thinking about a replacement
for Dr. Willis. Dr. Carroll asked the board members if they had anyone in mind
or anyone that needs to be considered to please let him know. Dr. Carroll
stated that Dr. Price Walker?s name had been mentioned but if there were any
others to please let Dr. Koppanyi or Ms. Middleton or him know. This needs to
be in place by January, 2009. Ms. Middleton stated that this is Dr. Willis?s
second term and he must be off of the board for at least one year. Ms.
Middleton also stated that Dr. Lawrence?s term ends next December 2009 and this
would be his second term as well.
Dr. Carroll asked for any Old Business. There being none, Dr. Carroll asked if
there was any New Business. Dr. Carroll stated that the discussion about Dr.
Willis? term on the board would be considered New Business. Dr. Carroll also
stated that the copy of the Audits will be given out to the Board Members at
the end of the meeting in order for them to review before the next board
meeting.
Dr. Carroll asked Dr. Koppanyi for the Director?s Comments. Dr. Koppanyi stated
that a lot of issues are going on in the State Office and no one knows exactly
what is happening. He stated that it has been announced that public health is
supposed to be going over to the Department of Community Health which includes
Medicaid. This is supposed to happen by the first of July, 2009. In the mean
time there is a transitional group that is meeting. It is now five months into
the fiscal year and we still do not have the official Master Agreements. We are
very concerned that we have not received this information. The changes that are
occurring because of the cuts, it is very difficult to make sure that we are
able to come up with the funds. Dr. Carroll asked what was the largest cut so
far that public health has had to absorb at any one time? Dr. Koppanyi said
that he had found out only a couple of weeks ago that we may lose in this
district $683,384.00 in family planning alone out of this year?s budget. Dr.
Carroll asked what was the budget for family planning? Ms. Middleton stated
that the reductions to programs 401 and 430 will eliminate both Funding Sources
leaving only the PYPI amount of $100,840.00.
Dr. Koppanyi stated at this moment they have not way of knowing?.there is
enough money from last year?s revenues for this program that the doors can stay
open as is until the 15th of January, 2009. After this, we don?t know. When you
consider that 80% of budget is salaries. Dr. Carroll asked when do we
anticipate getting this information? Dr. Koppanyi stated there is going to be a
conference call that will shed light on this and it has been proposed and
cancelled three different times. The next one is scheduled for this Friday,
Oct. 24th. Dr. Koppanyi stated that here on the ground level we have to pay
rent, lights, salaries, etc. that can?t wait. Ms. Dozier asked about the
Medicaid reimbursements; have they been coming in? Ms. Middleton stated slowly
but they have been coming in. Dr. Carroll asked if there was any kind of
contingence plans in regards to how we might deal with all of this and can we
project what we might get? Dr. Koppanyi said there is not knowledge of how far
the cut may go. Ms. Dozier asked if there are any requests for equipment that
could be denied? Ms. Middleton stated that all requests are being held. Dr.
Carroll asked if there were any other questions from the Board Members. Ms.
Albritton commented about the cuts relating to the Family Planning Program
these cuts are TANF funding so these cuts would be above the Grant-in-Aid Cut
that we are already getting. (What has happened unless they are changing their
plans, like Dr. Koppanyi stated, we will not know for sure until after the
conference call.) These cuts are from the Commissioner as she has decided to
shift these TANF Funds back to the Department of Family and Children?s
Services. So it is not truly a cut to DHR budget, but it would be a significant
cut to us in public health. Because apparently several years ago, the State
replaced some State Funds that supported Family Planning dollars with TANF
funds as some other cuts were being made. This would be on top of the other cut
that everyone else is talking about.
(There was a brief discussion concerning this issue)
(Dr. Willis entered the meeting)
Dr. Carroll asked if the meeting had been set up with the Legislative group
yet? Nothing has been set up.
Dr. Carroll asked Pam Middleton to present the financial report to the Board.
Copies attached.
Dr. Carroll called on Christy Kuriatnyk, Environmental Health to present the
presentation to the Board. Dr. Koppanyi mentioned that Ms. Kuriatnyk had been
selected as one of ten persons nationwide as Top Navy Wives. There was a brief
discussion regarding her presentation.
Dr. Carroll reminded the Board Members that next months meeting will be on
November 19th instead of November 26th because of the Thanksgiving Holidays.
Dr. Carroll asked if there was any other business to discuss. There being none,
the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted:
_________________________
Charlene Ellis, Secretary
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