Title: Ottawa County Health Department Faces Turmoil as Funding Battle Escalates
Subtitle: Health Officer excluded from budget process causes concern for public health services
Date: [Insert Date]
OTTAWA COUNTY — The Ottawa County Department of Public Health is embroiled in a bitter battle over funding, as Health Officer Adeline Hambley and her staff have been excluded from the budget process. This latest development is amidst a series of extraordinary events involving Hambley and the county board of commissioners.
On Monday, Hambley and her staff found themselves locked out of the health department’s social media accounts. Board Chair Joe Moss and County Administrator John Gibbs released a press release, accusing Hambley of insubordination and criticizing her recent statements regarding the budget process.
Hambley voiced concerns over Moss’ demand to slash the health department’s budget by nearly $4 million, stating that such drastic cuts could jeopardize public health and potentially lead to the department’s closure. Ottawa Impact, a far-right fundamentalist group formed by Moss and Board Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea, has been at odds with Hambley and the health department over COVID-19 mitigation mandates.
Moss and Gibbs accused Hambley of acting in bad faith and engaging in media theatrics instead of engaging in productive discussions. They argued that her statements were inappropriate and unprofessional. Hambley countered that, as the health officer, she has a legal duty to protect the health and safety of the community.
Amidst the ongoing litigation between Hambley and the board, the budget process has moved forward without her and her staff’s input. The county’s fiscal services department is now working on a new budget for the health department, which aims to reduce funding in every public health line item.
Hambley argues that the proposed budget fails to meet government-mandated guidelines and violates funding requirements for health departments. She has made efforts to educate the county administration on the complexity of funding mechanisms and statutory program requirements but claims her offers have gone unaccepted.
The budget being developed by fiscal services amounts to $3.8 million, with $2.5 million coming from the general fund allocation and $1.3 million rerouted from the public health fund balance. However, Hambley points out that a significant portion of the fund balance has specific allocated purposes, leaving only $1.3 million unrestricted for use.
Accounting for administrative costs, the overall operating budget would be $2.14 million, slightly exceeding the minimum funding level required by state and federal governments. However, Hambley warns that such deep cuts would compromise the ability of the health department to meet required service levels.
The implications of the proposed budget extend far beyond the health department’s immediate functions. Hambley warns that delays in services, such as restaurant inspections, could have unintended consequences as they are required by state law. The reduced capacity to fulfill mandatory minimum service levels may also impact the department’s eligibility for federal Title X funding, which supports services related to contraception and family planning.
The ongoing case between Hambley and the board is awaiting a hearing in the Michigan Court of Appeals, currently scheduled for October. In the meantime, the battles surrounding the funding of the Ottawa County Department of Public Health continue, leaving the future of vital public health services uncertain and raising concerns about the potential consequences for the community’s well-being.