SHEPHERDSVILLE – What a problem to have.
You have money in your pocket and you want to do things.
But it isn’t always that easy, especially with the goal of spending the community’s tax dollars wisely.
The Bullitt County Public Health Board approved its 2023-24 budget with plans to spend $5.4 million.
Rob Flaherty, in helping to prepare his first budget as health department director, said that there are not things in the budget which are not needed. But he said items have been placed in the financial plan which are needed.
Through the end of the third quarter, finance director Julie Callaway-Spratt said that expenses were running at 53 percent of the budget. Conversely, revenue was right on track with 72 percent of the budgeted funds received.
Before the fiscal year ends on June 30, Flaherty said projects have been completed. The roof on the main building was replaced and three vehicles were purchased for the environmental staff.
With over $645,000 in funds planned for the upcoming fiscal year, Flaherty said those dollars would be spent on non-recurring items.
Over the course of the next fiscal year, Flaherty said a mobile unit would be secured, as well as two more vehicles.
Callaway-Spratt said that the heating and air conditioning system in the main building also needs to be replaced.
She is also hoping that the eight additional staff positions can be filled. Part of the lower spending in the current fiscal year has been the inability to fill staffing vacancies.
Part of Flaherty’s plan for the health department is to bring more services to the community. The mobile unit will be a part of that formula to increase public presence.
Learning more about mental health and harm reduction are also programs which need to be expanded for the community,