KINGWOOD — The Preston County Board of Health approved the department’s 2020-21 budget last week.
The budget totals $474,215 and includes no money from the county commission, but does have some unexpected grants. Health Department Director V.J. Davis said the department was not expecting the $40,044 COVID-19 West Virginia Grant.
He said this provided some extra funding and covered the loss of the $23,057 the commission will not provide in the new fiscal year. The commission still provides the health department with free space and utilities.
“They told me they didn’t have the money in their budget to fund us this year but said they would like to put it back at some time,” Davis said.
“We received a $60,067 grant from the state. We received extra because of our population,” Davis said.
Which brought up another subject. “Only 50% of our population has completed the census.” He reminded county residents to complete the census because it affects funding.
Davis said the department also received a $5,000 Benedum Foundation grant.
The Benedum Foundation supports specific initiatives in areas of education, health and human services, community and economic development.
The Preston County Health Department will open its doors to the public by appointment only today.
Davis said this would allow clients to get tetanus shots and other vaccinations and tests done. He said during the coronavirus shutdown, the department received many phone calls from local residents seeking information about COVID-19.
Jeannie Welch, a registered nurse who works at the health department, said the staff has spent a lot of time on case investigations. She said if someone contracts COVID-19, the department is required to report it to the state and go through a contact list and make notifications.
“We go back 48 hours and notify their contacts and have them quarantine for 14 days,” she said. “We keep in contact with them daily seven days a week.”
The next meeting of the Preston Board of Health will be 7 p.m. July 16.
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