Commission approves use of unused COVID grant funds to supplement school‑nurse time

Staff explained that a state health grant (initially for COVID testing) included funds the county did not spend on testing and that the state has approved repurposing some of those funds to support school nurses. The county supplements school nurses (who are county employees working in school districts) and staff said the proposed use could cover up to 20% of a school nurse’s time for triage and surveillance and could apply to charter and other schools if needed.

Commissioners asked for written documentation of the amended agreement and staff directed the public to the county’s public agenda site where backup attachments and the modified contract are posted. Staff clarified this use does not increase base nurse salaries; it offsets sheriff or general‑fund expenditures for the period covered by the grant. When the grant ends, the salary funding would revert to existing budget sources.

Commissioner Gardner moved to approve item 45; the motion passed by voice vote 3–0.