MOUNT VERNON — The mobility of Knox County residents will soon be enhanced thanks to federal funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation.
On Thursday, the county commissioners signed a purchase agreement for nine bike racks to be installed on Knox Area Transit shuttles. The project cost is $12,060; ODOT will pay up to $10,854 in federal funds, 90 percent of the cost. KAT must pay the expenses up front, and then submit an invoice to ODOT for reimbursement.
The commissioners met in executive session with County Prosecutor Chip McConville to discuss whether the county should file a lawsuit against companies that manufacture and distribute opioid painkillers. Almost one-third of Ohio counties and six states have filed similar lawsuits. The commissioners reached no decision. County Administrator Jason Booth said there is no specific timetable to make a decision.
Health Commissioner Julie Miller updated the commissioners on activities at the Knox County Health Department, including plans to hire another sanitarian. “With the growth in the county comes the growth for us,” she said, adding that food service and sewer/water is fueling the growth in environmental health.
The lack of space in the health department building also reflects that growth. The number of employees was 35 when Miller took over as health commissioner in 2010; it currently stands at 50, and Miller expects it to reach 70 in the next five to 10 years.
“That’s a lot of growth, partly due to the center, but also because our city continues to grow,” she said. “With that comes the opportunity to grow the building.”
A feasibility study by Green Valley Design showed the department needs an extra 5,000 square feet along with a renovation of the existing space at the cost of $2.5 million.
The KCHD does not have that kind of money, so Miller is looking at alternative buildings and opportunities. Miller said she prefers not to relocate or split the health department from the community health center. No timeline is set for expansion other than the five to 10 years when the department will reach 70 employees.
As part of the department’s public health outreach, nurses are providing health screenings at city and county probation departments every two weeks. Screenings include vaccines and for STDs.
Tuesday’s visit to Mount Vernon Municipal Court’s probation department resulted in three people being sent to the community health center and one being set up with a primary care physician. “I think it’s going to be a good mechanism for the probation departments to have that resource,” she said.
An emerging trend called community paramedicine allows paramedics and EMTs to go into people’s homes and provide routine healthcare services. Miller says the program basically keeps people out of the hospital. Her concern is one of coordination: People don’t need both a nurse and a paramedic going into the home to provide care.
Miller reported that the KCHD received a $90,000 grant to continue and expand tobacco cessation programs. It also received a Creating Healthy Communities grant for bike rentals in Danville and Centerburg. She is working with Y Not Cycling as a Mount Vernon location.
The community health assessment is underway; Miller expects results in March or April.
In other business on Thursday, the commissioners:
- Signed an $18,700 contract with John Wackerly Inspection LLC to inspect 275 bridges and 11 steel trusses at a cost of $60 per bridge and $200 per truss
- Voted to authorize an additional assessment of 5 percent on delinquent property taxes, money to be used to fund the Knox County land bank
- Voted to contribute $5,000 to the Knox County Agricultural Museum
- Voted to contribute $4,000 to KSAAT (Knox Substance Abuse Action Team)
