Ms. Adamson informed board members that Karin Dietz, Fiscal Operations Manager resigned. The end-of-year fiscal 2024 report is in the packet. This is a preliminary, unaudited report, and numbers are subject to change. Ms. Adamson noted that Ms. Dietz finished the county finance audit requirements for the end of year, but there may be additional items that would need to be addressed. Also in the packet is the first month of FY2025 financials.
Ms. Adamson added that recruiting is underway for the Director of Nursing position and several candidates have been identified to interview.
Director Nomm informed members that Kristin Chapman, has been hired as the new Field Staff Supervisor.
In several weeks, the division will be going live with the digital platform for septic and well permitting in conjunction with Planning and Development. Currently, we are in the training phase with vendors, then staff will be trained. Zoom meetings will be set up with our designers and well drillers so they are up to date with the new process.
The Division is also reinstituting the water drop-off program with additional townships in the southeastern part of the county. Director Nomm noted they are working with Algonquin, McHenry, and Nunda townships.
Director Howell said spring clinics will be scheduled soon. They are looking for 2 to 3 off-site locations with drive-up access and some indoor space.
It was noted that the population of animals in the shelter has declined a bit as they have been able to transfer more animals. Director Howell noted she is happy to see volunteer numbers rising.
Director Marrin stated staff will be attending the last in a series of Stress-Management classes at the Mental Health Board tomorrow. She noted they are working on several RFPs for translation of forms in many different languages and a new on-call service. A supervisory training program is being prepared and will cover budgeting, training on EGrAMS grant reporting, and Kronos.
The ARPA project is moving forward and plans for moving staff are underway. We have a lease with the Mental Health Board for office space and are expecting it to work out well.
Director Marrin informed board members that 2026 will be the 60th anniversary of the McHenry County Department of Health. We are working on ideas to create a celebration. If any members have ideas they would like to share, please let Director Marrin or Nick Kubiak, Public Information Officer know.
Director Haak said the ER program, in collaboration with other divisions, is trying to increase planning and education around H5N1. In our health equity efforts, one of our health priorities, we are trying to get more programs in disparate locations and Marengo is one of those areas. A whole body approach class at the food pantry just finished and over 20 people participated.
Our substance abuse facilitator has been partnering with Omni Youth Services. They gave us a lot of free products to distribute in the county such as pill bottles with a combination lock and deactivation disposal kits for medication.
Director Haak said the last day for the WIC office to be in Crystal Lake will be February 6th. They will then be working out of the Woodstock office and in the mobile clinic, once it receives approval from the State. We are hoping to provide WIC services from the unit by March.
Assistant Director Buch reported CDC is seeing a decline in seasonal respiratory illnesses. We currently have 19 active outbreaks, including seasonal respiratory illnesses, and GI outbreaks, which is most likely a strain of norovirus. Seeing large increase in pertussis compared to the prior year. The Point of Care testing center was implemented this past week for flu, COVID and RSV Nurses go outside to swab patients, run the test inside, then let people know the results and gave guidance.
Assistant Director Buch told members the division is hoping to set up a vaccination clinic with the mobile unit in the spring at a Harvard school. They would like to tie the clinic in with a school fair in the afternoon.
Board members had some questions regarding people who are not completing TB therapy and what could be done.