LISBON — Food service vendors, public pool and spa operators and campground operators all licensed through the Columbiana County Health District can attend public hearings Dec. 7 regarding next year’s licensing fees.
The times are 8 a.m. for food service fees, 8:30 a.m. for campground fees ad 9 a.m. for public swimming pools and spas at the health district offices, 7360 state Route 45, Lisbon.
The health board approved second readings on proposed fee increases for all three programs last week, with the fees based on a cost methodology process which takes into account the amount of time put into each program by health district employees. One more reading is required for the fees to be approved. Fees will take effect Feb. 1.
In other business, the health board welcomed Courtney Stryffeler of Beloit as the new health services administrator. Stryffeler was hired as the full-time clinic director/health services administrator at the last meeting after Jamie Elenz decided to move to a part-time position as medical services administrator.
County Health Commissioner Wes Vins said Stryffeler has 20-plus years experience including time working in trauma at St. Elizabeth Hospital. She holds both a master’s degree and doctorate in nursing. He said all the candidates were excellent.
“We’re really happy to have her join our team,” he said recently.
Regarding H2Ohio group 6 bids, the board awarded the contract to Colian Multiservice LLC of Salem for $17,500. Other bids were received from Advanced Excavating of Wellsville for $27,040 and Foster’s Enterprise of East Palestine for $38,700. During the last meeting, the board approved an extension for a project on state Route 164, Lisbon by Sam Courtney.
A variance was granted for well distance requirements for the Magdovitz Agency of Cordoba, Tenn. for a replacement water well at an address on Commerce Street, Negley. Environmental Health Program Manager Laura Fauss said the move will be an improvement from what’s there now.
Board orders were issued over a nuisance complaint against Garritt Brown, Hopedale, for a property on Bayard Road, Minerva, ordering the removal of all solid waste and tires from the property to a licensed facility.
The board also renewed an agreement with Medical Record Services for $1,200 related to HIPAA compliance.
Fauss said there have been some calls from residents inquiring about water wells. She said it’s not unusual this time of year for there to be some discoloration or smell. The department offers testing.
Barnes reported the department was surveyed by state inspectors for the pool and campground programs. Vins said he opposed an opinion by the state inspectors regarding the number of inspections of facilities, noting the law says annual inspections must be done, but the state was interpreting it as every 365 days. Overall, Barnes said it was a good survey. Vins said the staff did a great job.
In budgetary matters, the board approved contracting with Medical Mutual for the same health insurance as before for employees with a cost increase of 4.9 percent through the Morris Agency. Board president Shawn Apple said it was hard to believe the increase was that low.
Fiscal Officer Karen Clark said expenses are up a bit, but the budget remains in the black.
The next health board meeting will be 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21.
