Summit County Board of Health unanimously backs county‑adopted 2024 health department budget

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Summit County Board of Health voted unanimously Dec. 18 to express its support for the Summit County Health Department’s council‑adopted 2024 budget, following a staff presentation that summarized funding sources, council‑mandated reductions and next steps for fiscal oversight.

Board Chair Chris Cherniak opened the special meeting and said the purpose was to consider a formal attestation that the board had participated in the department’s budget process. Jen, the department’s business manager, described the council‑adopted figures and line‑item changes, saying the document shows the percent difference “from the approved 2023 budget to the council adopted 2024 budget.”

Health Department staff explained the department’s revenue mix and adjustments. Speaker 2 summarized that state and federal grants and fees make up roughly “a hair shy of $3,000,000” in projected revenue, with the balance covered by local property tax support; after a spreadsheet correction staff reported the correct shortfall figure for the department’s projections when viewing the council workbook. Jen said the department’s overall budget is $9,386,000, with the council‑adopted departmental figure broken down by division at $8,758,628.

Jen outlined specific cuts the county council applied during its review: a 25% reduction in travel and training, a 20% reduction in overtime and a 10% reduction in fuel expenses. She also noted a sustainability grant secured by Emily reduced that division’s requested funding by about $48,000. Speaker 2 described the resulting document as “a very solid budget,” saying the department will continue to offer services and train staff while managing within the revised allocations.

Board members asked how the department would handle midyear grants that exceed built‑in projections. Staff and Jen said they build some wiggle room into grant forecasts but any grant that exceeds that buffer would require coordination with the county finance department and a formal budget amendment with the county council.

The board then moved and seconded a motion stating that the Board of Health supports the council‑adopted 2024 budget for the Summit County Health Department. A voice vote was called; Chair Cherniak said there were no opposing votes and declared, “The motion passes unanimously.” The transcript does not record a roll‑call vote or individual recorded tallies.

Phil (staff) said divisions will receive their budgets and the board’s fiscal committee will meet in March to review 2023 closeout and track how the 2024 budget is performing. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Jan. 8.

The motion registers the board’s formal support of the council‑adopted budget; it does not itself change county council action or create new appropriations, which remain under the council’s authority.