"The health department has been an integral part of the county with programs for women, infants and children," he said. "Those programs are going to continue. In addition to that, there are other things that we do, in terms of meeting the criteria set by the general statutes."
Over the past few years, the health department, like many other businesses, has experienced what Kateh called "a financial decline"— appropriations from the state have decreased, and the department has not had a stable provider.
"We need to look at programs that generate funding for the health department," he pointed out. Kateh said he would like to open an urgent care/mini-clinic called the Anson County Open Access Clinic.
"We've got to change our way of thinking, and look at other things outside of the number of things that are done in the health department. In so doing, we've got to look at this new model of health care. If the physician clinic can survive, if urgent care and private practice can survive, why can't the health department survive?"
Kateh admitted that most people will wait until the last minute to seek medical care. He said the department will work to educate people about seeking health care in a timely manner. He also pointed out that there are multiple providers of this particular type of service, "but the difference is, we are going to have open access."
Oftentimes, when a patient calls a doctor's office, they may have to wait for several days or even weeks to see a doctor or nurse practitioner, Kateh explained. He said the open access clinic would be able to see patients within 24 hours.
Kateh is asking for the hire of a family nurse practitioner, or FNP, who would help bring in revenue by being able to see a wider variety of patients more quickly.
Kateh said he knows there will be competition from Anson Regional Medical Services (ARMS), Anson Community Hospital's ER and urgent care services. "But with our open access basis, we should be able to attract those people who need [health care] now."
After Kateh's presentation, Commissioner Dr. Jim Sims stated that he was under the impression that the commissioners had already approved the FNP position. Baucom responded that they had approved the position, contingent upon Kateh's business plan.
"We're not going to make a decision right this minute but we have the plan," Baucom told Kateh, before asking if the board of health had approved the plan. Kateh said that most of the board had.
VFW seeking county property
James Bennett, commander of the VFW Post 10403, appeared before the commissioners during the public comment portion of the meeting to ask about the county possibly donating the old National Guard Armory building to the VFW. The request had come before the commissioners before, but no decision has yet been made.
Bennett said that the VFW needs to be deeded the property or otherwise have a piece of paper saying the VFW controls or owns the building in order to apply for needed grant money. The building is in rough shape, and is currently being used by the county for storage.
"We've been trying to empty that building so we can make an assessment but it is eaten up with asbestos," County Manager Vance Gulledge said. "The building is junk but it is on a valuable piece of property."
Baucom said that the county was reluctant to donate the property to the VFW because the property is so valuable.
"Those who have fought for this country, are they not worth that piece of property?" asked Sandra Cason Harrell, who was also representing the VFW Post 10403. She added that she'd like to see a museum to the county's veterans located on the property. "I feel it would be the least we could do."
Commissioner Jarvis Woodburn, who is a veteran, said he couldn't argue with that point but explained, "But still, with the financial situation like it is, we just can't give away property. If all our financial needs were met, it wouldn't be a problem."
The commissioners, Bennett and Harrell agreed that the VFW folks will meet with County Attorney George Bowers and work on the legal details so that both parties can get what they want and need.
Other Business
In other business at Monday night's meeting, Baucom started off the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of longtime commissioner and former Anson High School principal Lee Allison.
The commissioners also heard from Jerry Adams regarding a tax issue. After a brief discussion, the board put Adams in touch with tax assessor Larry Newton, who scheduled Adams for a meeting with the board of equalization and review, which will hear his case and decide whether or not he owes the tax penalties in question.
The commissioners also unanimously voted to:
• officially rename the Anson County Airport the Anson County Airport—Jeff Cloud Field.
• OK an increase in septic pumper rates to $40 per 2,000-gallon truck load within the county and $75 outside the county.
• reject a request from AT&T Mobility to extend their wireless communications lease agreement.
• schedule the annual meeting with Cooperative Extension for Sept. 13.
• name Woodburn as the county's voting delegate for the NCACC Annual Conference in August.
• table until August a decision on the cost of an in-house revaluation.
• form a committee to plan an open house for the Government Center sometime this fall. Human resources director Lawrence Gatewood and County Clerk Bonnie Huntley will head up the committee.
Commissioner Sims also reported that he'd met with two representatives regarding the county participating in using solar panels for energy, but both companies told him it would not be a wise decision to invest in solar panels at this time.
The commissioners will next meet jointly with the Anson County Board of Education at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, at Anson High School.
Post a Comment
