Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

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, March 26, 2008, at 1:00 P.M.



MEMBERS PRESENT:

Jim Wetherington, Mayor

Mrs. Brenda Dozier

Howard Willis, M. D.

Banks H. Carroll, M. D.



MEMBERS ABSENT:

James A. Lawrence, D.D.S.

Isaiah Hugley, City Manager



OTHERS PRESENT:

Dr. Zsolt Koppanyi

Ed Saidla

Margaret Gosden

Eileen Albritton

Pam Middleton

Karon Bush

Sheila Mayfield

Pam Fair

Colethia Moore

Jackie Miller



Dr. Carroll called the meeting to order, and asked for a motion to approve the

minutes of the last meeting. A motion was made by Dr. Willis, seconded by Ms.

Dozier and approved by those members present.



Dr. Carroll asked for any Excused Absences. Dr. Lawrence has been excused today

due to illness. A motion was made by Ms. Dozier seconded by Dr. Willis and

approved by those members present.



Dr. Carroll asked for a review of the Action List. A new item was added last

month, a Resolution in support of the Georgia Public Health Association

recommendation to make Public Health a separate State Agency. This is an

ongoing process that is being looked at. Ms. Gosden is working on this issue

and there have been no additions since the last discussion. Dr. Carroll stated

that Ms. Gosden is working on the format/wording for the Resolution. He

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stated that the position of the Board will be stated concerning the future of

Public Health and where the Board stands.



Dr. Carroll asked if there were any items of New Business and opened the floor.

Dr. Carroll stated that Ms. Middleton said there was an article in the Columbus

and the Valley Magazine written on Dr. Sullivan and his retirement and where he

stands in the community and what he has done, etc. Dr. Carroll asked Mr.

Saidla if he had any New Business to bring before the Board. There being none,

Dr. Carroll asked for Dr. Koppanyi?s Comments.



Dr. Koppanyi stated that the Legislature is still in session. The supplementary

budget was passed and Public Health was untouched. Unfortunately, the Governor

has been proposing some serious cuts for FY2009, but we are not sure of those

yet. The $7.1 million added in order to augment GIA funding to the local health

departments has been eliminated. Some funding to support salary advances/raises

(2% & 5%) nursing positions and performance based increases remain at the

moment. He encouraged contacting local legislators concerning the FY09 budget

and ultimate placement of Public Health in the overall organization of State

government.



Dr. Carroll asked Ms. Gosden what was the issue regarding the nursing

situation. Ms. Gosden had stated there exists a general crisis related to

supply and demand for nurses. Ms. Gosden stated that currently we are

recruiting for three vacant positions with only one person who has applied for

all three positions. There are some programmatic shifts planned in the HIV/AIDS

program to meet the new federal requirements of Ryan White. If a nurse

practitioner can be recruited into DCS, then we would take two of the nurses

currently assigned to that program and place them in Public Health to relieve

Sheila Mayfield?s shortage. Even at the new salary, 75% of market passed last

year and was in placement in January 2008, we are still having little success

in recruiting nurses. One of the items remaining in the FY09 Budget was

continuation money to support that 75% adjustment. The expansion of the $7.16

million is what the Governor has pulled back based on the most current economic

forecast. Georgia appears to be one of the states hanging on the verge of

recession according to national media courage. Mr. Saidla stated that being 75%

you are still 25% short of what the hospitals pay. Dr. Carroll asked if the

hospitals are having

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difficulty filling positions or shortages. Mr. Saidla stated they are actively

recruiting and most of the hospitals are still paying and signing bonuses to

get nurses. Dr. Carroll asked if the counties are doing ok in that area. Ms.

Gosden stated they are holding their own, hoping that no one leaves.



Dr. Carroll asked for any other comments in regards to what Dr. Koppanyi had

shared with the Board.



Dr. Carroll asked Ms. Middleton for the financial report to the Board.



Dr. Carroll called on Colethia Moore with Child Health and Jackie Miller with

WIC to present the program to the Board. There was a brief discussion with the

Board members.



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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