March 28, 2024

Three things to know from the Jasper County Board of Health meeting

1. The board approved the Jasper County Health Department to take over Parents as Teachers for the Jasper County Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Agency Director Jackie Sparks announced her intentions to retire in April 2018 with the recommendation the health department take over the services, similar to organizational set ups in many other counties.

The division will be working in partnership with Marion County, who will serve as the funds distributer. The organization currently receives $103,000 in funding to pay for all services provided to the county.

Should the county have opted to not take in the organization, the Marion County Board of Health said it would not service Jasper County, citing its desire to pay only employees who are working in Marion County.

Parents as Teachers provides a free and voluntary early learning program for parents with children from birth to six-years-old. Its purpose is to help parents lay a strong foundation for their child’s future success in school.

2. The health department exceeded its projected revenue by $8,313 through the third quarter of the fiscal year. It is also $147,883 under budget for this fiscal year, bringing a total of $156,196 less taxpayer dollars used as compared to projections of three quarters into the year.

Health department administrator Becky Pryor suggested to the board put the money toward a new location for the department. Board chair Margot Voshell said the board is honing in a couple of locations in Newton to present to the board and supervisors as possible locations for the department.

3. A new fee schedule for environmental health was approved effective July 1. Changes include an increase in fee for septic permits from $150 to $170, site analysis from $225 to $150, tank replacement form $150 to $170, drilled well or geo thermal well permit from $125 to $150, tanning testing from $25 to $30 and septic contractors fee per contractor from $20 to $30. Additional fees transfer fees and testing fees will be increase between $10 and $20.

The fees were last increased in the county seven years ago.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com