County sets fiscally responsible budget for public health

Ottawa County is committed to providing excellent services to children, individuals, and families through the work of the Department of Public Health (DPH). In line with fiscal responsibility and making the most of taxpayer dollars, the County is requiring that the general fund contribution to DPH’s budget return to average pre-COVID levels. This is a process all American families and businesses are going through, and it will not result in the discontinuation of any mandated services, and especially not the closure of the Public Health Department.

Such claims are disingenuous and being made in bad faith for political purposes. For the Director of Public Health to attempt to influence the budget process through media theatrics, instead of good faith conversations with the County Administrator and the Board of Commissioners, is totally inappropriate and unprofessional.

Facts:

Claims being made by the Department of Public Health, such as that the department will be forced to close its doors, or to cut essential mandated services, are patently false, bad faith, and disingenuous fear-mongering tactics. This approach represents a continued pattern of insubordinate and unprofessional behavior out of the Department of Public Health.
The Department of Public Health has not provided a budget based on the parameters requested by the Administrator and the Board, despite being asked multiple times. Yet the department has nonetheless found the time to spin a highly politicized, fictitious, fear-based narrative to the media and the unsuspecting public.
The Department of Public Health, like all American families and businesses, is being required to set its budget to pre-COVID levels. Such a requirement has nothing to do with politics, but basic common sense and fiscal responsibility.
The COVID pandemic is over. It is incumbent upon leaders to ensure that funding, staffing, and programs which were designated for that purpose, are wound down.
The County will not stand for any attempts by the Department of Public Health to cut essential programs unnecessarily, for political spectacle or media theatrics. The families who are served by the Department of Public Health deserve better, and will not be political pawns.

By the Numbers:

The average general fund contribution for the Department of Public Health in the years preceding COVID was $3.8 million per year.
The FY24 DPH budget will include a $2.5 million general fund contribution, plus a contribution from DPH’s fund balance, to come as close to the historic $3.8 million general fund contribution figure as possible.
The general fund contribution amount requested by DPH for FY24 was $6.7 million, a stunning 72% increase from the last pre-COVID year, which was $3.9 million. This large increase far outstrips County population growth and inflation over that period. The County is simply asking for this number to return to normal levels. (see graph below)
DPH’s total personnel is more than one third larger than the last pre-COVID year, jumping from around 90, to more than 120 currently, only a few short years later. This 33% increase in personnel is far higher than the rate of inflation or population growth of Ottawa County.

As we work to finalize the budget, adjustments may be made based on additional information. The County will continue to work through the details of the budget process, with or without assistance from Public Health Department leaders. The final budget decisions will be voted on by the Board of Commissioners following a public hearing that provides an opportunity for public comment.

We remain committed to ensuring the Public Health Department meets the needs of the community, serving our children, families, and individuals with excellence while ensuring fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of Ottawa County.

Media Contacts:

John Gibbs, County Administrator

Joe Moss, Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Chairman