By HOLLY GASKILL
More than a few times, Marlene Hoag, interim administrator for the Wells County Health Department, has been asked, “What’s going on at the Health Department?”
“It seems to be the question of the month, or the year, or the last five months,” Hoag told the Wells County Council during a regular update Wednesday evening. “So, I’m going to tell you.”
She continued, “Since I returned in July, there’s been 72 births and 90 deaths filed. There have been 435 birth certificates and 423 death certificates issued, 420 flu shots have been administered (and) 92 COVID shots … 122 TB (tuberculosis) tests, 1,054 shots of other kinds for kids and adults, eight site evaluations, 11 septic permits, and nearly 100 food inspections done.”
Hoag emphasized that these individual tasks include accompanying work answering inquiries, scheduling appointments, filing for insurance and other regulatory work.
While there has not been significant progress in hiring since the last Health Board meeting, Hoag stressed that the current staff is still working through the day-to-day load. Currently, the department has three full-time staff, including Hoag, and two part-time staff.
“We’re understaffed, and we’re overworked — there’s no doubt about that,” Hoag said. “Everybody’s got an opinion, nobody has a solution. I’m here to tell you — we need applicants and we need support. But the health department is doing the job that they’re intended to do, regardless of all the other crap going on.”
Hoag has advertisements posted for a full-time environmental specialist (septic) and part-time medical assistant position, as well as her own position, deputy administrator. Hoag noted that Nov. 9 marks the one-year anniversary of her original retirement before she was asked to return following her first replacement’s sudden resignation in June.
Council member Seth Whicker asked if there was any potential to elevate a current part-time employee to full-time status, and Hoag said that would be an option. However, Hoag made one thing clear — she’s ready to find a replacement and retire.
Other updates were:
• Citizens Against Drug Abuse were allowed to use $22,128.07 of their collected funds for multiple local grants. The Highway Department was also appropriated $5,000 from the general fund for pay matrix increases. Several department transfers were permitted. These items were approved 4-0; Whicker, Todd Mahnensmith, Vicki Andrews and Brian Lambert voted in favor, and Brandon Harnish abstained. Council members Scott Elzey and Steve Huggins were absent.
• Council approved the use of $23,195 from the recorder’s fund for a part-time employee. Per the Indiana Code, this matter has to be approved annually.
• An amended version of the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Communications Department was unanimously approved. Whicker explained the amendments largely clarified the distinction of county funds regarding the city-operated bank account for the Public Safety Answering Point.
• Council approved the 2024 salary ordinance, surveyor salary ordinance and sheriff salary ordinance.
holly@news-banner.com
