Osage County Commissioners last week approved a plan to pursue the purchase of an existing building that could be repurposed to house the Osage County Health Department (OCHD). Initial efforts include checking the legal ramifications involving funds and property use. Cost analysis of insurance and utilities are also under study. Commissioners agreed to spend no county funds from general revenue. Initial readings of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) indicate those funds would be adequate and appropriate to use for the purchase and necessary remodeling.
"It has plenty of room," Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin explained. "Plus, everything will all be in one location."
This referred to the current situation. The OCHD has equipment and supplies stored in several different locations around Linn. Any clinics, including drive-through style events, must take place outside the OCHD offices.
As for the current office space now occupied by the OCHD, "It could free up some needed space," said Griffin.
Several county departments are almost as crowded as the OCHD. Other offices have been re-designated to full time from part time. Those will likely want some office space they don't currently have.
"It would benefit all the people of Osage County," added Osage County Eastern District Commissioner John Trenshaw. "It would cost less than 30% of what building a new building would cost."
The building, remodeled, would yield more than three times the floor space the OCHD has now.
"I'm so proud of the health department," said Griffin, who reminisced on its growth, particularly in the last decade. The whole commission is aware of the effort from its staff throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
For her part, OCHD Administrator Kim Sallin would love to have her clinics more in-house instead of exclusively on the road. She would like to add dental clinics, and other services. Many county health departments offer these services but they are impossible in the current Osage County situation. She presented a document listing the programs she feels could be provided in such a building. Some are already in place, but could be significantly improved. Others were things she'd love to do but simply can't at this time. The document and an accompanying brochure mentioned classes she would like to host. The best benefit of making this move, in her opinion would be "to offer convenience to your citizens."
For the immediate future, walk-in vaccination clinics at the Osage County Administration Building (Annex) on Fridays will continue as long as the demand is as good as it has been. "Those are continuing to be successful," said Sallin. "They're going pretty well."
Sallin’s COVID report listed 32% of the county's eligible population now completely vaccinated. An additional 6% have received the first injection. This now includes 1% of the newly eligible citizens under the age of 18, 3.5% of which are initiated. There are now three active COVID cases with more likely diagnosed whose tests are not back yet. Most are in one household.