Date: Fri 23-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

health-district-budget

Full Text:

Health District Adopts A Budget Despite Funding Uncertainty

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

The Newtown Health District Board approved the district's proposed 1997-98

budget Monday after cautioning that the cost to local taxpayers could rise

significantly if proposed cuts in state revenue are approved by the

legislature.

"I anticipate having to come back (to the health board) and make up the

deficit somehow," said Mark A.R. Cooper, health district director.

The legislature's Appropriations Committee has passed a proposed budget which

would cut $1 of the $1.52 per capita paid by the state to local health

districts. Newtown stands to lose $21,000 of the $32,348 that it received in

the current fiscal year.

"I don't understand - I just can't fathom the state's reasoning," said board

member Joan Crick. "They encourage us to form a health district and now they

want to do this."

The budget, as approved, is $320,443, up $8,820 from this year. The increase

is primarily due to $10,300 which was placed into the contingency account.

Operating costs aren't expected to increase next year, according to Mr Cooper,

but some additional funds will be needed for salary increases. Contract

negotiations still are taking place with the unions which represent the

district employees.

Although health districts don't know what their 1997-98 state revenue will be,

the State Department of Health and Addiction Services directed local health

directors to submit their budgets last week.

The proposed state cutbacks also would make districts pay for environmental

testing done by the state lab, a service which is currently provided by the

state. Newtown had more than $61,000 in testing done last year for public

health issues like water quality, rabies, lead, and asbestos.

Mr Cooper said he recently learned that Newtown will once again receive a

$3,724 federal block grant for temporary food service inspections. This year

the grant was used to subsidize training for local food establishments which

must have a certified person on staff by August 1 to meet new state health

code requirements.