November 21, 2009
What's Inside:
County agrees to city health services contract
Commission agrees to one more year
Commission agrees to one more year
Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo
The Buchanan County health clinic has run into some serious funding issues this month.
Buchanan County residents will continue to receive health care services at the Patee Market Health Center for another year.
The County Commission had decided to opt out of its annual $135,000 contract with the city of St. Joseph for health services at the city/county health department. But the commission on Wednesday voted 2-1 to agree to a one-year, $63,339 contract for public health care services for county residents.
The contract begins July 1 and includes full access for county residents to clinic services, flu shots, WIC, Medicare, lead testing, HIV testing, pregnancy testing and more.
The contract does not include sewer/septic inspections, restaurant inspections and animal control. The county has already hired a new employee, Ron Martin, to handle those duties and more.
The contract, however, likely means the city will not send more money to the Social Welfare Board. The independent free clinic said last week that it was about $8,500 short of having a balanced budget at the end of its fiscal year, June 30.
The county could save about $10,000 on the new arrangement. But more importantly, said Presiding Commissioner Royal “R.T.” Turner, the new employee will allow the county to focus on more issues of concern to the county.
For example, the county plans to begin more proactive health classes for county restaurant employees. It also plans to provide improved animal control services.
After a tabletop discussion Wednesday morning, Western District Commissioner Ron Hook voted for the contract, but Eastern District Commissioner Dan Hausman was opposed. Mr. Turner cast the deciding vote in favor of the agreement.
The city and county still must draft and sign a formal contract.
“It took some work, and we’re happy it all worked out, and county residents are going to have access to the city/county health department,” Mr. Turner said. “There will still be a city/county health department.”
A lingering, unresolved issue is the care of “trustee lots,” forfeited through unpaid taxes. Mr. Hausman said he voted against the contract because he wanted to resolve that issue.
County Clerk Pat Conway is the trustee of the lots, but the county says that’s only as a legal placeholder and doesn’t require maintenance or mowing. The city apparently could stop mowing those lots under the new health contract.
Joe Blumberg can be reached
at joeblumberg@npgco.com.
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Maybe they should only provide services to legal residents and if they can't provide proof of being a legal resident they have to pay for it. Why not apply that same idea to welfare. Think of all the money we the tax payers would save.
So ron martin will take over the inspections for the county? Who is ron martin and where did he go to college for his credentials? i don't remember seeing where the county had hired anyone.
Something smells fishy here. Who is Ron Martin and what qualifications does he have? I don't recall seeing the job posted anywhere? Who hired him? Where is the county shelter located? What hours is it open? What's there adoption procedure? I hope that Ron isn't inspecting restaurants and picking up dogs in the same clothing.
From what I have heard, you all have valid concerns. I had heard the county hired this guy, and the people I heard from pointed out that they have no idea how someone like him will take care of all of these services the county says it will provide. The last I heard, he will be working 8 to 5 Monday thru Friday. I'm guessing county residents will be told not to have problems with their animals between 5 pm and 8 am and on the weekends. As far as health inspections go, good luck!!!
Out of a $135,000 contract they are going to save $10,000? Man, are these commissioners onto something! Whew! I sure am glad we voted them into office. Now, who will answer all the other questions about the county shelter, and the training for Ron Martin, and every other small thing they forgot about that the city provided under the contract.
Way to go commissioners! Way to use the "good 'ole boy system" to put one of your own to work and stick it to your constituents!
last check according to the state of missouri you have to have a college degree to hold a position like that and extensive training well training is not free and can cost 10's of thousands of dollars according to the person i called in jeff city so when was he trained and where did he go to college to learn about food born illness? this is sickening to the me who lives in the county looks like i will have to boycott the county places as they probably will not get regular inspections now. I think the news press should do some looking into this issue of ron martin and see how bad a move it was for the county!