Kosciusko County Health Department Adminstrator Bob Weaver presented the 2006 annual report to the health department board Wednesday.
The substantial document contains 44 pages of statistics regarding the department's activities over the last year. An executive summary written by William L Remington Jr., M.D., the county health officer, presents an overview, which Weaver praised for its clarity.
An outbreak of tuberculosis cases in the northeast region of the county has kept the department busy with the institution of a clinic, assistance from the Center for Disease Control, the Indiana State Department of Health and hiring two full-time positions for a communicable disease staff. That staff now offers assistance to surrounding smaller health departments and their sporadic tuberculosis caseload.
So far this year, one case of tuberculosis has been confirmed, compared to seven in all of 2006 and 10 in all of 2005. Nearly $95,000 was spent to contain the disease and assist patients.
The department issues birth, adoption and death certificates, septic, well and restaurant permits as well as itinerant permits and paternity affidavits.
The staff answers complaints about spills, trash and housing and collects tires as well as water samples in area lakes and swimming pools.
Immunization clinic staff made a total of 5,011 children's visits, administered 14,907 vaccines in addition to 1,000 influenza vaccines and made 42 home visits in 2006.
Deputy administrator and environmental scientist Neal Brown updated the board about a global information system "overlay" marking septic and well system. Other counties are beginning to use the technology to provide an aerial view of these systems.
Brown said he just wasn't comfortable enough with the software to recommend it. The data could be off by as much as three meters, and that doesn't do anyone any good.
At the January meeting the board recommended the lots in the proposed Eastview Subdivision along Syracuse Lake have sewer line access. Brown said the developers dropped the project.
Weaver presented a new fee schedule which increases costs for food service establishments, septic system permits and water well permits.
The yearly rate for a food service permit is $20; an increase to $100 is recommended. A six-month food service permit is $10; an increase to $50 is recommended. The temporary per day rate for food service is $3 with a recommended hike to $10 per day.
The current septic system permits are $25. If approved costs would be $100 for new construction and $50 for a septic repair permit. A new fee is recommended for commercial sewage disposal - $50.
Private well permits are $10 now and could go to $25.
Board members discussed the increases, with Larry Coplen saying they ought to be more and Joan Darr commenting that some people say that's why we pay taxes.
Weaver said Kosciusko County is the third busiest department when it comes to issuing septic permits and permit fees cover about half of the actual costs.
The fee schedule was approved by the board and will be forwarded to the commissioners.
