Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Budget time is approaching for county government agencies, and the Kosciusko County Health Board approved the estimated budget for 1999-2000 for the county's health department Wednesday.
Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver said the budget for next year is basically the same as this year with slight increases in two accounts.
The office supplies account will increase from $3,500 to $6,000. The fuel and oil maintenance account for the health department vehicle will increase by $500. Weaver said the vehicle has 90,000 miles on it this year and he expects more maintenance will be needed for it in the future.
Salaries and wages were not listed in the budget estimate Weaver presented to the Kosciusko County Health Board.
"The county council has a wage committee and they pretty much set it," Weaver told the board.
The health department has three budgets. The general budget, if approved, will be $185,350. The health maintenance budget will be $30,000 if approved, and the prenatal budget will be $48,754.
In other business, Weaver told the board that a bill before the Indiana Senate concerning septic systems has been amended.
The bill states that a health department has 45 days to review, approve or disapprove a residential septic system.
A subsection applies the bill to counties with populations of more than 65,000 but less than 68,000. Kosciusko County is the only county of 92 in Indiana that would be affected by this bill.
Rules adopted by the state health department concerning the installation of residential septic systems in fill soil may not prohibit the installation of a residential septic system in fill soil if the plat of the affected lot was recorded before Senate Bill No. 76 goes into effect, or if there is not an available sewer line within 750 feet of the property line.
In Kosciusko County, the health department would not have the discretion to deny a permit for a septic system in fill soil.
The amendment added to Senate Bill No. 76 changes that.
The amendment adds the condition that for a permit to be approved for a septic tank in fill soil, "the local health department determines that the soil, although fill soil, is suitable for the installation of a residential septic system."
"We're very thankful for the changes. Bob saw that this was going to be a major change for him and he saw it through," said board member Dr. William Remington.
"It's a lot better than it was," said Weaver.
A new part-time food inspector was hired by the health department. Sandra Ellis is working three days a week to help the health department's full-time food inspector. Weaver said she was a federal inspector previously in the poultry business.
A summer intern also has been hired. Erica Turner, a Purdue University junior, will help with water testing two days a week.
The next health board meeting will be Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in the courthouse.
