Barry County Health Board approves 2009 budget

The Barry County Health Department approved the 2009 budget at its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 18.

Kathleen King, health department administrator, reported that the budget includes a 3 percent cost-of-living increase for all staff members and a salary expenditure for a new full-time registered nurse who will be working at the department's satellite office in Monett.

"With the increased number of clients we are seeing at the Monett office I would really like to have two full-time nurses on staff there," said King.

The 2009 budget also includes a $46,277 capital improvement expenditure for renovations and an expansion project that will be completed at the Monett facility, a $9,000 expenditure for a new copy machine that will be purchased for the Cassville office and an $8,000 expenditure that will be used to purchase equipment that will used to test samples from recreational waterways.

Total expenditures are estimated at $888,670 for next year.

According to the budget, property tax revenues are estimated to be at $299,763 next year. The health department also expects to receive $404,963 through intergovernmental revenues, $180,800 from service fees and $5,100 in interest income.

Total revenues for 2009 are expected to be around $890,626, which will give the health department a $1,956 surplus.

In other business, the Barry County Health Department Board of Trustees:

* Discussed a vendor verification policy.

* Received an update on the Monett building project.

* Discussed a change in the department's mileage reimbursement rate.

* Reviewed the monthly service fees, the public health programs report, the environmental report and the Health Education Literacy Program report.