By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Building material costs have gone through the roof, but Wood County Board of Health made a commitment Thursday evening to continue its plans for renovating the community health center.
The board learned that the cost estimates for the renovation were coming in at $200,000 over budget. The health department has received $517,105 in Health Resources and Services Administration funds for the renovation.
Options to bring down those costs ranged from phasing in the project, dropping some more expensive parts of the renovation, moving some services to another location during construction, or even postponing the project.
“Contractors are not even holding their prices for 30 days,” said Heather Judge, with SSOE engineering and design services.
The board could put the project on hold for a year, to see if building costs and supply chain issues ease, Judge said. The money from HRSA does not have to be used until Sept. 14, 2024.
But the board was adamant in its commitment to make the health center renovations.
“We’re here to provide services,” said board member Richard Strow, who added that the health department has money in its levy fund to pay for the over budget costs.
“We need to act on this now,” board member D.J. Mears said. “I don’t want to lose that money.”
Board members agreed that the addition of rooms dedicated to mental health are particularly needed right now.
“Behavioral health is so important right now because of all the stresses going on,” Strow said.
Health Commissioner Ben Robison said mental health services have been identified as an urgent need in the county by HRSA.
“If a pediatric patient is identified for needing mental health support, it’s a six-week wait just to get the assessment in order to be identified for services,” Robison said.
Diana Krill, CEO of the community health center, said the renovation will add two rooms dedicated to behavioral health. A third room, planned for optometry services, could also be used as another space for mental health services, she said.
Currently, mental health is “integrated” with other services at the health center, Krill said. The additional rooms will allow for individual counseling sessions.
Plans are to bring on more behavioral staff, Robison said.
“They will be used,” he said of the rooms dedicated to mental health needs.
Board member Bob Midden said he would like to see more specific plans before committing the money.
“I’m not suggesting we wait. I’d just like to know a little bit more,” he said.
More details will be presented at the next board meeting, Robison said.
Also at Thursday’s meeting:
- The board voted to apply for nearly $1.2 million in funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration to continue health center services. This is an ongoing grant that helps the health center maintain its services.
- Mears said he had been asked by a constituent about the ongoing shortage in baby formula. Amy Jones, Deputy Health Commissioner and Director of Nursing, said the WIC program has been communicating with its clients, and that the shortage is expected to ease since the baby formula manufacturing site in Michigan is up and running again.
- Jones asked if the board would be interested in hearing about preparations for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Wood County will be in the viewing path of the eclipse, so the county’s Emergency Management Agency is making preparations for the crowds that are expected.
- Robison said a meeting is being held Friday to come up with tactics to meet the goals of the Community Health Improvement Plan.
- Robison reported that the health department is preparing to respond to potential cases of Monkeypox. No cases have been reported in Ohio, but “it is something we have to have on our radar,” he said.
