Clinic remains popular (05/09/06)

With the increased use of the Jay County Immunization Clinic and a reduction in funding from the state, local health department officials are looking at ways to keep the clinic going.

Dr. Stephen Myron, Jay County Health Officer spoke to Jay County Commissioners Monday and explained that in 2002, nearly 2,500 vaccines were administered. Already this year, more than 4,500 vaccines have been given.

And while that number has risen, the staff has remained the same.

Myron said he would like to see the current part-time clerk’s position become full-time, and in an attempt to offset that additional expense, now ask for a $2 charge for each immunization administered.

Some feel the increased use of the clinic can be traced to the state’s mandate that school children receive all available vaccinations before entering school. Myron said the Jay School Corporation administration had asked the clinic to operate five days a week for two weeks before the beginning of the current school year. The clinic is open regularly two days a week.

The clinic hopes to provide additional vaccines in the near future as well, including the newly developed MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella), as well as the vaccine to prevent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a virus known to cause cervical cancer.

Myron expressed concern that the state’s funding of the clinic has continued to decrease slightly each year, and if those funds end, the county may have to look at local ways to fund the clinic.

Commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer, and Faron Parr agreed to allow Myron to ask for an additional appropriation of $1,200 from the county council to fund a full-time clerk and also to ask that the fee ordinance be revised to reflect the $2 charge for immunizations.

Additionally Monday, commissioners heard Ralph Frazee, Jay County director of emergency management, say a 2005 Homeland Security Grant totaling $78,000 for Jay County has been awarded.

He said the department will receive $48,000 to be used for equipment for fire departments, emergency medical services, Rescue 19, and the emergency management office, while $28,000 will buy eight mobile radios for each of the county’s law enforcement departments.

Frazee told commissioners the grant requires the purchases be made in advance and the money will then be refunded.

“I don’t know how you spend money before you get it,” he told commissioners, who instructed him to ask the county council for an additional appropriation to make the purchases.

In another matter, commissioners discussed with Frazee the purchase of a tornado siren they would like to see mounted on the top of the courthouse.

The omni siren that has a capability to reach 3,000 to 7,000 feet, is estimated to cost between $8,000 and $14,000, Frazee said.

The need for the siren was addressed by commissioners recently following the tornadoes that struck southern Indiana in December.

Shortly after the Portland Fire Department moved the fire station north of town a few years ago, the siren located on the old fire station on Commerce Street became inoperable and a downtown siren has not been in place since that time.

Commissioners Monday also heard David C. Hooper, independent marketing representative for Novia CareClinics, explain a care plan that he says could help the county save on medical insurance costs.

Novia provides primary care services at the employer site by creating and managing on-site clinics accessible by employees, their families, or others as designated by the employer.

“I just want to make you aware of this concept,” Hooper said about the presentation.

Also Monday, commissioners approved a request from Dave Frasher to keep the courthouse open to access the restrooms on May 20 from 3 to 9 p.m. for a cruise-in sponsored by the Arch Bridge Kroozers Car Club.

Commissioners also heard Bettie Jacobs, educator/administrator for the Jay County’s Soil and Water Conservation District, remind CAFO and CFO farmers to file the proper paperwork for Rule 5.

That regulation requires anyone disturbing one acre or more of ground to develop and submit a sediment run-off plan. Approval of the plan is done within 28 days, Jacobs explained.

“I know of at least one (CAFO farmer) that did not wait until he got his report back before he started construction,” Jacobs said. “If they don’t wait they could be non-compliant.”

In other business Monday commissioners:

•Reappointed Lynn Hampson to the Jay County Public Library Board for another four-year term.

•Agreed to advertise for quotes for the demolition of a building on the north side of the courthouse that will be the site for additional parking for courthouse employees.

Commissioners recently agreed to purchase the building on West Walnut Street at a cost of $20,000.

•Approved a 777-foot utilities right-of-way request from Sprint on county road 700 South near State Line Road.

•Heard Nancy Culy express concern about the entrances at the Jay County Retirement Center.

Culy said she was at the center recently and realized there are not ramps to provide easy entrance and exit to the center, located on county road 200 North, east of U.S. 27.

Following the afternoon meeting, Miller visited the center to see what can be done.[[In-content Ad]]