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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026_06_18_BOH_PacketBoard of Health Meeting June 18, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health Agenda & Minutes Pubic Healt June 18, 2026 Regular Meeting Agenda Jefferso n C o u n ty B oa rd of Health T h u rsd a y , J u n e 18, 20 2 6 @ 2 :30 P M Jefferson County Courthouse - Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA To view agenda items and meeting materials, click here: www.co.jefferson.wa.us - Services - Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public)- Health-Agendas_Minutes_Packets - Board of Health Documents (then search by date: yyyy _mm_dd) To view public comments received, www.co.jefferson.wa.us - Services - Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public)- Health- BOH Public Comments (search for folder of comments by date, year first) This is a hybrid meeting: Virtual and In-Person Attendance You can join this meeting by using these methods: • Zoom Meeting: https://us0Gweb.zoom.us/j/82378389363 This option will allow you to join the meeting live. You will need to enter an email address. If you wish to provide public comment, click on the hand icon at the bottom of the screen to "raise your hand." Participation will be up to the Chair and/or Clerk of the meeting. • Audio-only: Dial: 1-253-215-8782 and use Webinar ID: 823 7838 9363# This option will allow you to listen to the meeting live. If you wish to provide public comment, press *9 to "raise your hand." Participation will be up to the Chair and/or Clerk of the meeting. • In-Person: You are welcome to join the meeting in-person . In the event of technical difficulties, at least one of the methods above will be accessible to the public. Please try all methods first before calling 360-385-9100 to report any issues. Public comment will be accepted and can be emailed to: BOH@co.jefferson.wa.us until 5:00 PM the evening prior to the start of the meeting. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER - Chair MickHager I. Public Comment (10 mins.) Public Comment Periods are dedicated to listening to the public. Each person may address the Board one time during these periods. To ensure equal opportunity for the public to comment, all comments shall be limited to 2 or 3 minutes per person, depending on the volume of public in attendance. AT A REGULAR MEETING, THE MEMBERS MAY ADD AGENDA ITEMS AND TAKE ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations Provided Upon Request II. Appro val of A genda III . Appro val of M inutes of M ay 21, 2026 Board of Health M eeting IV . Old Business and Info rm ation Reports 1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH ) Report (A pple M artine) ( 10 m ins.) 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report (D r. K ees Kolff) (1 0 m ins.) 3. Infe ctious Diseases Update (D r. A lli son Berry) (1 0 m ins.) V . New Business 1. HB 2442 R evenue tool fo r Local G overn m ent Part VIII - Public H ealth Clinic Pro perty Tax (A pple M artine) (25 mins.) 2. Report on Port Tow nsend Schools' M ini-Gra nt (Laura Tucker and Students) (10 m ins.) VI. Announcem ents VII. Futur e Potential Agenda Topics: Jefferson County Supports fo r Children w ith Autism Spectru m D isorder (J U LY ) Local Sew age M anagem ent Plan Update (JU LY) The County Stra tegic Plan Opioid Settlem ent spending Olym pic Connect, the Com m unity Care Hub model Board of Health 101 Rura l R epro ductive Health Em ergency Fund fo r Public H ealth The Child Developm ent Center AD JOU RN M EN T BY : 4:30 p.m . Next Scheduled M eeting: July 16, 2026 2:30 - 4:30 PM Jefferson County Public Health Hybrid M eeting AT A REGULAR MEETING, THE MEMBERS MAY ADD AGENDA ITEMS AND TAKE ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations Provided Upon Request ~ J/fooon PublicH~ REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, May 21, 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, Vice-Chair, Community Stakeholder Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner Monica MickHager, 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 Vice-Chair Grace called the May 21, 2026 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 P.M. Members Present: Vice-Chair Amanda Grace, Members Greg Brotherton, Heather Dudley-Nolette, Celeste Dybeck, Heidi Eisenhour, Dr. Kees Kolff and Gabrielle Vanwert. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Lara Cittadini, Michael Dawson, Carter Erickson, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice-Chair Grace called for public comment. There were none. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice-Chair Grace called for a motion to accept the agenda for May 21, 2026. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the agenda. Member Dybeck seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted G. Gilbert Page 1 of3 A P PR O V A L O F M INU TES Vice-Chair Grace requested a motion to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2026 meeting. MOTION: Member Kolffmoved to approve the minutes. Member Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report Staff member Martine mentioned the positivity manifested in the previous meeting where Public Health Heroes were celebrated. JCPH has been contributing data and refining objectives for the county's five-year strategic plan, which includes goals ranging from community outreach to environmental health and disease prevention. The department is also responding to significant statewide funding cuts, with JCPH facing a reduction of about $556,000 in state foundational public health dollars, and an almost equal reduction of funding from county general funds for the upcoming fiscal year. Despite the setback, leadership is focused on absorbing the cuts thoughtfully while keeping current staff whole and maintaining essential services. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Member Kolff also led with positivity as Jefferson Healthcare had a large presence at the Rhody Parade, where the new dental/medical van was displayed. Also good news is the new neurology practice at Jefferson Healthcare. Concerning financials, the hospital district is considering a potential lid lift but won't decide how much to request until a June 8 retreat clarifies which essential services need support amid funding cuts and rising uncompensated care. Leaders emphasize that current property-tax support is extremely low and doesn't cover critical services like dental care or 24/7 OB, so they aim to craft a proposal the community can understand while balancing residents' financial pressures. 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry reported that public health funding is being cut simultaneously at the federal, state, and local levels, and even the grants that once filled gaps "don't really exist right now," creating a severe strain on services. These reductions now reach critical infrastructure-such as outbreak-tracking systems and the state public health lab - leading to dangerous delays in testing that ultimately increase downstream costs and worsen outcomes. Many problems originate with large federal cuts that forced states to divert funds to backfill Medicaid instead of supporting preventive health programs. The good news in infectious diseases is that, concerning the outbreaks of Hantavirus and Ebola, there are no cases of either in Washington, and there are unlikely to be any. There are no mild versions of these diseases so, unlike Covid, they are unlikely to be mistaken for other illnesses, and they are not transmitted pre-symptomatically. Measles is still spreading and it can be severe, but there is good preventative vaccine available. NEW BUSINESS 1. Update to JCPH Fee Schedule According to Community Health Director Banker, the clinic, fiscal, and management teams revised sexual and reproductive health fees by using the median of their cost analysis and comparable local pricing, which resulted in some fee reductions; these will be updated annually. They are creating a comprehensive fee schedule for all public health services, a transparent policy, and a financial-assistance process-including an attestation form and committee-reviewed approvals-to ensure clients who cannot pay can still access services. Donations managed Respectfully submitted G. Gilbert Page 2 of3 through the Com m unity Fo undation help cover unmet costs, and staff are trained to guide clients thro ugh sliding-scale, insurance, and assistance options so fees never becom e a barrier to care. 2. Alternative Enforcement Program Updates and Success Stories Environmental Health staff member Becca Maurer introduced the program, which focuses on helping residents with environmental code-compliance issues by connecting them to services, rather than penalizing them, leading to improved safety, better quality of life, and fewer repeat violations. Its strong outcomes, including increased voluntary compliance and interest from other jurisdictions, show how supportive, service-oriented enforcement can reduce strain on courts, staff, and the community. Effective code-compliance work depends on using nonjudgmental, compassionate language and understanding the personal challenges - such as mental health issues, abuse, or substance use - which often underlie property conditions. Such an approach allows staff to address root causes first, helping people stabilize so they can eventually meet cleanup goals. 3. Community Health Improvement (CHI) - Program Update Staff member Cittadini provided a presentation which described Community Health Improvement ("CHI", which is being phased in as a replacement for "CHIP" (Community Health Improvement Plan) and "CHA (Community Health Assessment)), its goals, and its process. Historically, the county's last two community health improvement cycles followed a multi-year process of assessing past work, gathering data and community input, and producing a CHA and CHIP. The CHI concept emphasizes relationships, shared priorities, and coordinated action rather than just producing documents. This current cycle will use the MAP 2.0 framework and a new public-facing Health Indicators Dashboard to guide collaborative, data-driven planning across partners and internal programs. Tools to center equity in the process were described. ANNOUNCEMENTS Tabled due to time. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS Tabled due to time. AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on June 11, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 2:30 P.M. -4:30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chair Grace adjourned the May 21, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:30 P.M. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Amanda Grace, Vice-Chair Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted G. Gilbert Page 3 of3 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 1 Jefferson County Public Health Report [No hand-out] e June 18, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 2 Jefferson Healthcare Report [No hand-out] I June 18, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. O ld Business and Information Reports Item 3 Infectious Diseases Update [No hand-out] H t June 18, 2026 Jeffe rson C o un ty B o ard of H e alth V . N ew B us in ess Ite m 1 H B 2442 R ev enue to ol for Loc al G overnm e nt P a rt V III - P ub lic H e alth C linic P ro p erty Ta x June 18 , 2026 ~~:W SRLPHO HB 2442 (2026): Bill Summary Public Health Funding Opportunities While framed as a local finance bill, HB 2442 contains many direct and upstream provisions that support public health, health access, and social determinants of health. The overall effect is to give local governments the tools to address health inequities and social determinants of health at scale: 1. Dedicated funding for direct care services • Public health clinic levy • Behavioral health and developmental disability funding 2. Upstream SDOH investments • Housing support and flexibility • Child and family supports • Economic stability tools 3. Local flexibility and sustainability • New taxing authorities that build local government's revenue "tool-belt." • Expanded uses for counties to respond to the needs of their communities. • Longer-term funding tools for futuristic planning and investment in efforts that have generational and population health impact. Enhanced Public Health Funding New property tax authority for public health clinics This creates a stable, localized funding source for specific, additional important services that LHJs are increasingly providing. This funding could help fill gaps in healthcare access, particularly for underserved populations. • Counties are allowed to create a new property tax levy specifically for public health clinic expenses. Levy rate is $.05 per $1,000 of assessed value, and this levy is excluded from the $5.90 aggregate tax rate limit. • Local governments can raise dedicated funding for: o Community health clinics o Primary care services o Safety-net and public health clinical infrastructure Public Health Clinics definition: publicly operated site for the provision of low-barrier health and related services such as primary care, dental care, SUD, family and nutrition health, behavioral health care, and reproductive health. Examples of current LHJ services that would meet this definition: • Immunization and vaccines • Mobile health clinics, including unhoused outreach and health services • SSP pro gram s and other harm reduction serv ices • W IG clinics • HIV/STI testing and treatment • School-based health serv ices Flexibility changes to human services responsibilities Emphasizes local nuances and needs in behavioral health, disability services, and veterans' support, all of which are critical to broader public health efforts. The bill changes existing levies: • • Keep counties' ability to fund mental health and disability services . o Creates the option for separate ("standalone") levies for behavioral health, mental health, disability services, and veteran support services. o These are essential functions that county health and human service departments (approximately 45% of LHJs) provide. Local governments have more flexibility to invest in: o Behavioral health access and care o Mental health crisis services o Community-based supports o Veterans' assistance programs in housing, healthcare support, and behavioral health services Upstream Social Determinants of Health Investments Housing funding expansions More local dollars can go to housing and supportive housing programs. Housing is one of the strongest predictors of health outcomes. • Expands uses of real estate excise tax (REET} and local housing sales taxes • Funds can support: o Affordable housing construction and acquisition o Housing operations and maintenance o Behavioral health facilities tied to housing New local sales tax for children and families (0.01 %) * • Cities and counties can adopt a small sales tax to invest directly in family well- being and early life supports. Cities and counties will need to coordinate, as the total increase in tax amounts is limited to 0.01 % total, not as separate taxes. • Examples of how funds can be used: o Childcare and early learning grants or vouchers o Youth services and peer groups o Housing and transportation supports *Note: we are hearing that this tax has a typo and was intended to be 0.1%, but it is unclear if there is a desire to address this error from the Legislature. Jefferson County Board of Health V. New Business Item 2 Report on Port Townsend Schools' Mini-Grant It June 18, 2026 Students for Sustainability Beach Clean-up on M ay 22, 2026 Google M.uar T ~. USIJ A/f l'M:IGl:.O, M; data C201!"> ' <> A mini-grant from the Youth Commercial Cannabis and To- bacco grant with Public Health funded this project. Fifteen intrepid students hiked over a mile from the parking spot to the beach, then 3 miles down to the Cedar Creek campsite and hauled 400+ lbs. of trash that had been stock- piled over the years. On the way back, the picked up and additional 150+ lbs. of trash between the bluff and Norwe- gian Memorial beach. They figured they covered at least 8 miles that day! They spent the night in Forks at a VRBO which allowed home-cooked meals-and savings from restaurant food. Where we stayed! And we're off! Next stop ... trashed beaches Heading down the trail to the beach Cleaning up the Cedar Creek campsite Plastic stuck in the rocks Hauling trash off the first beach ... Each student hauled 2-3 giant bags over 4 m iles back to the parking area. They filled the giant cargo van to the brim befo re it w ent to the Forks transfer station. Definitely hot, sw eaty w ork m eant fo r dedicated and fit teens! The trail to the beach w as extrem ely m uddy and treacherous in places. Every one brought a second pair of shoes. Evolution of the clean-up ... Biggest pile of trash before SFS hauled out what they could - ' '!, ...... _ ... _ Other stashes of trash that were hauled out. SFS got the pile down to this! Mike Kennedy, a local beach clean-up enthusiast, was so impressed with what SFS had planned that he found 8 backpacks to help them, joined them on the clean-up, then returned to finish off the last of the trash the following weekend. Amazing!! U nloa ding the trash at the Forks Transfer Station - Final Tally - 24 bags of trash 1 tire 4 plastic buoys 1 heavy plastic door Other bits and pieces Approximately 560 lbs. Total! Jefferson County Board of Health VI. Announcements u bl c Health June 18, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health VII. Agenda Planning It June 18, 2026