GC Health District mulls 2017 budget

EPHRATA — The Grant County Health District is raising most of its permit and license fees to help cover a proposed 2017 budget of slightly less than $2.7 million.

However, commissioners and officials with the health district are concerned that the increase in funding won’t keep up with rising program demands and costs — especially when it comes to communicable diseases.

“I’m concerned about budget flexibility and funding regarding zoonotic diseases,” Grant County Health Officer Alexander Brzezny told the district board at a meeting Wednesday evening.

Zoonotic diseases are infections carried by animals that are then passed to humans, such as influenza and rabies.

The bulk of the health district’s proposed $2.66 million budget is provided by federal and state grants. However, roughly 27 percent of the district’s budget comes from licenses, permits, and fees. Most of the fees associated with food and restaurant permits, sewer and septic tanks, water, and swimming pools are going up $1 or $2, though the district appears to be adding $1 to the fee for every $100.

For example, a one-year, on-site sewage permit currently costs $800. Under the new fee schedule, it will be $808.

Fees for public health services — immunizations, tuberculosis tests and treatment, and HIV/AIDS education — remain unchanged.

Despite the rise in fees, district accountant Ryan Birmacombe said revenues would still fall about $45,000 short, a difference that will be drawn from the district’s reserves.

Birmacombe did say, however, that the district received more than expected state funding from taxes on marijuana, and is also receiving more pledges from cities across Grant County.

“Septic tank permits are up quite a bit, so there’s some growth going on out there,” he said.

Birmacombe said cities in Grant County are asked to pledge $2 per resident to the health district to help cover the cost of the district’s communicable disease program and environmental health services. In 2017, the district hopes to receive just under $80,000 from the cities.

The proposed budget is scheduled for a public hearing and a vote at the board’s meeting on Dec. 14.