Southeast Kansas health officer asks Bourbon County for $93,291 to preserve services after federal cuts

Rebecca Johnson, administrator and health officer for the county’s Southeast Kansas Multicount Health Department, asked the Bourbon County Commission for a 2.8% cost-of-living increase that would total $93,291 and help maintain current staffing and service levels.

Johnson told commissioners that 2025 was a difficult year for the department, noting significant federal and grant reductions—particularly in WIC and emergency preparedness—that forced layoffs and reduced in-person services. "We are requesting this to maintain staffing and service levels," she said, warning that further cuts would delay services and reduce recruitment and retention capacity.

Johnson provided a snapshot of the department’s 2025 workload: 691 immunizations, 1,462 outreach contacts, 190 lab draws, 159 home visits, and an average WIC caseload of about 370 people per month. She said county funds make up roughly 6% of the health department’s budget and that federal funding bears the bulk of WIC support; recent federal reductions initially cut WIC funding by about 8 percent and then increased pressures leading to staff reductions.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the origin of the WIC cuts (federal), the department’s reliance on grants, and whether county funds could cover shortfalls. Johnson said she would provide any additional documentation the commission needs.

What happens next: Johnson left contact information and asked commissioners to review the packet; the commission did not take an immediate vote on new health department funding during the meeting.