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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026_01_15_BOH_Minutes_Executed,Aown Public Heath REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, January 15, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m. Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA Hybrid Meeting Board Members Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, District #3 Heather Dudley-Nollette, County Commissioner, District #1 Celeste Dybeck, Tribal Representative Heidi Eisenhour, County Commissioner, District #2 Amanda Grace, Chair, Community Stakeholder Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner Monica MickHager, Vice -Chair, Port Townsend City Council Gabrielle Vanwert, Consumer of Public Health Staff Members Denise Banker, Community Health Director Dr. Allison Berry, Health Officer Lara Cittadini, CHIP Manager Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager Carter Erickson, Environmental Health Manager Apple Martine, Public Health Director Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director Jenn Mitchell, Finance Manager Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director Chair Grace called the January 15, 2026 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. Members Present: Chair Amanda Grace, Members Greg Brotherton, Heather Dudley-Nollette, Heidi Eisenhour, and Monica MickHager. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Lara Cittadini, Michael Dawson, Carter Erickson, Apple Martine, Jenn Mitchell and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Grace called for public comment. Commenter told a personal story supporting the need for the footcare program at Public Health (JCPH). They also spoke about the formation of Friends of Public Health and its mission to support JCPH and its programs which are currently threatened by budget cuts. Commenter added their voice supporting the previous commenter, appreciating the programs available at JCPH, in particular the footcare program, and spoke about the community's dependence on these programs. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 4 G. Gilbert APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for January 15, 2026. The Clerk noted that, in the absence of Member Kolff, Member Kolff sent a brief note concerning recent events at Jefferson Healthcare, along with a newsletter concerning the 2026 State Legislative Agenda. Staff member Martine requested a change in the time allotted to the first two items of New Business. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda as revised. Member Dudley-Nolette seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Grace requested a motion to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2025 meeting. MOTION: Member MickHager moved to approve the minutes. Member Dudley-Nolette seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report Staff member Martine lamented the negative and harmful impacts of the federal government's healthcare reforms and slashing of the budget. She spoke about the difficult decisions in the county due to shortfalls necessitating budget cuts. She mentioned two significant bills that will be addressed at the upcoming state legislative session; they are: (1) Senate bill 5967, which expands the qualifications of those serving as health officers for rural counties (low support); and (2) House bill 2242, concerning access to preventative services by clarifying state authority and definitions (high support). Several local public health leaders and staff will journey to Olympia for Public Health Legislative Day to educate legislators on the needs of rural counties. JCPH put forward a proposal for funding from United Good Neighbors through the Give Jefferson Campaign, which was granted, making up in part for some of the recent budget cuts. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Chair Grace read aloud Dr. Kolff s note concerning recent events at Jefferson Healthcare, in particular the retirement of Jill Buhler Rienstra after 30 years of service on the Board, and listed several of the Washington State Hospital Association's state legislative priorities for 2026. 3. Infectious Diseases Update According to Dr. Berry, in our community, COVID 19 activity is currently low; influenza took a recent downturn, but could easily come back up; RSV activity has risen. In much of the nation, the flu situation is much more severe. This is in part due to the H3N2 strain of the virus that is predominant and often more severe, as well as mutations in the virus that make it better at evading prior immunity. Thankfully, the flu vaccine appears to be holding up well at preventing the most severe outcomes of influenza infection and our higher vaccination rates, especially among high - risk elders, are likely decreasing the severity of the flu season in Jefferson County. Dr. Berry reminded that flu can be dangerous, especially for young children and the elderly, and vaccinating is recommended for everyone 6 years and older Measles in unusually prevalent, nationwide. It is not present in Clallam and Jefferson Counties, but anyone travelling should be aware of potential exposure at their destinations. The vaccine is safe and very effective, with protection lasting for life. Federal news: there was a dramatic change in the CDC's pediatric vaccine schedule, based on a presidential order, not scientific data; the change leaves children more vulnerable to many diseases. Major medical organizations across the Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 4 G. Gilbert country have come out against this move and endorsed the vaccine schedule released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (which is consistent with the prior vaccine schedule). All prior vaccines are still available, though there is concern that continued cuts to public health infrastructure could make them less available in coming years. Any parents with questions or concerns are encouraged to speak to their primary doctor or health department staff. Much federal money is being transferred from social services to funding federal law enforcement. Discussion ensued. NEW BUSINESS 1. Legal Aspects Regarding Setting of Public Health Clinical Fees Staff members Apple Martine and Denise Banker led a discussion concerning the role the Board of Health plays in setting the fees charged by JCPH. According to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and the Jefferson County Code, the BoH has no legal obligation to set community fees. If the BoH wishes to change how fees are set, it must (1) initiate the change; and (2) conclude the decided -upon changes by resolution. Discussion ensued concerning possible modification of procedures for fee setting. Discussion was terminated in the interest of time, with the suggestion that the topic be brought back to the February meeting for further discussion and possible action. 2. Public Health Budget Update; Potential Services Cuts Staff member Martine described the sharp reduction of funding provided by the county and enumerated consequences of the reduction, including staff reductions and possible elimination of certain JCPH programs which have no other sources of funds. She also mentioned that the county funds provided were stipulated for payment of liability insurance, and also that there would be other funding reductions from the state. The intricacies of public health budgeting was also briefly discussed, as money coming in is often earmarked for specific programs and are prohibited from transferring moneys between funds. During discussion, several Commissioners expressed their willingness to revisit the county funds provided to JCPH with the intention of using parts of the funds for important programs that would otherwise be defunded (i.e., the footcare program and the lakes program). 3. Update on BHAC's progress with 1/10th of 1% Funding and Opioid Settlement Funding Staff member Martine provided an outline of how opioid settlement funds are being administered. 4. Lakes Program Update Staff member Michael Dawson provided a slideshow describing the origin and development of the program and how lake monitoring for the presence of toxins is conducted. He described various toxins and symptoms presented following exposure. He mentioned possible dangers to the public and that the program may be cancelled or reduced due to defunding. 5. Selection of New Board of Health Chair and Vice -Chair Following a brief discussion: MOTION: Chair Grace nominated member MickHager as Chair for 2026, and member MickHager nominated member Grace as Vice -Chair for 2026. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS No discussion. Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 4 G. Gilbert ANNOUNCEMENTS Member Brotherton announced the ORCA clean air meeting on February 11, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m (via Zoom) will include a presentation called "Rooted in Respiration" by Dr. Meredith McCormack of Johns Hopkins University. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on February 12, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 2:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Grace adjourned the January 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:29 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSO C BOARD OF HEALTH Amanda Grace, air Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted G. Gilbert Page 4 of 4