Vaccine effort
continues to gain ground
Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin told commissioners last week there are 10 active COVID-19 cases in the county, and the number of fatalities remains at 14. All but one active case was a direct contact to a previous case. There have been 1,673 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has identified the first case of the South African coronavirus variant in Missouri. Similar to the variation in England, it spreads easier but is not as deadly as the original COVID-19 virus. All vaccines are still regarded as effective against all variants identified to date but Sallin warns there is much information still to gather. "If you research it, they just don't know a lot about it," she said.
One active case in Osage County is a citizen who had been vaccinated. Sallin emphasized, however, the individual has multiple conditions compromising the immune system. "I don't want people to think the vaccine isn't effective," she said.
"How many total vaccinated people have we got now?” Osage County Eastern District Commissioner John Trenshaw asked.
Statistics provided by DHHS indicate better than 45% of Osage County citizens have now been vaccinated so that one case is anomalous and explainable.
Meanwhile, Sallin is happy with the vaccination progress. "I was very impressed by that number," she said. "I think we're doing the best we can."
Vaccination was open for all citizens, by appointment, beginning Friday, April 9. Cole County now operates a vaccination site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Capital Mall in Jefferson City. It is also by appointment only.
Osage County Western District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes' understanding is Cole County has funded that operation with dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The Missouri National Guard is now helping with the vaccination effort. One team has been working with the OCHD in recent weeks.
"The National Guardsmen were amazing," said Sallin. "They were fantastic."
The team expects to continue its assistance in the coming weeks. As an example of what the Guardsmen do, Sallin noted there were 500 doses given Monday, April 5. Significantly, OCHD personnel only had to file fewer than 50 documents at the end of the day. This was due to National Guard clerical assistance provided in addition to vaccinators.
Sallin, though, would still like more vaccinators. A new full-time nurse started with the county Tuesday, April 13, and shares an office with another nurse. Even with this new hire, Sallin is still down a nurse from full staffing. She's short on space and short on personnel but she's more concerned about the shortage of personnel.
Looking forward to the next vaccination phase, Sallin expects to conduct smaller clinics. It's still too crowded to do anything more than individuals in the OCHD office so she explored the possibility of using the commissioner room.
"You're welcome to use this room anytime," Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin responded, with the other commissioners echoing the sentiment.
One factor affecting the size of public health vaccination operations is large pharmacies. Many of them are now offering vaccination programs. Sallin welcomes the reduction in pressure but her department will still be working at far above normal pace.
Sallin pitched the OCHD's recent ability to offer home visits. "It's something we weren't able to do right off the bat," she explained, "but now that we've got some things under control, we can do that." Her staff has given an estimated 10-15 vaccinations to citizens in their homes.
DHHS is now granting funds state-wide to increase all immunizations to adults. These include flu and coronavirus shots. The money must go to clinics conducted outside the home building of the department. Sallin is not concerned about that requirement. It's next to impossible for her to conduct a clinic in her office.
Osage County's share is estimated at $167,000. Spread over three years, most of the money should be used for staff salary while some will be available for infrastructure. "We could really use a new immunization storage unit," said Sallin. "We've had some issues with our temperature control."
She hastened to add no vaccine has been ruined but the old refrigerator has acted up enough to catch attention. She would like any new one to have a clear front, making it easier to take inventory without opening the unit.
Sallin concluded by asking about American Rescue Plan funds. The money has not arrived yet, and "we've had no guidance about it," Griffin answered.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Osage County Building and Grounds Janitorial and Maintenance Worker John Kennedy is ready to begin a light replacement campaign at the Osage County Courthouse. There are 16 units needing new bulbs, and other offices would like lighting elements moved or added.
Kennedy has been asked to change straight places into angle parking south of the courthouse. He asked the commissioners to look at the situation in person before he repainted.
Griffin asked about some marker posts on the west side of the courthouse that are leaning. "They look a little shabby to me," he said.
Kennedy promised to explore some ideas for firming them up.
Commissioners asked him about having a mobile container northeast of the Annex Building. They proposed Kennedy store lawnmowers and small equipment there. He liked the idea and will look into it when the lot is ready.
Recently ordered parking signs for the Annex lots are in. Kennedy will install all of them soon, except those for the northeast lot. He'll wait until tree removal and other grooming there is finished.
MU EXTENSION
Elizabeth Anderson, Osage County University of Missouri Extension Service County Engagement Specialist, visited the commissioners Thursday, April 8. "I'm just getting my feet on the ground, getting to meet people," said Anderson, who assumed the office this year.
Griffin complimented Anderson on the new Extension Service sign which has been erected at the southwest corner of the Osage County Administration Building (Annex).
Anderson asked for contact information for the various communities around Osage County. Commissioners and Osage County Deputy Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer gave her several names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
MISCELLANEOUS
Griffin asked fellow commissioners to look over the Sales Tax Distribution Deposit Notices from March. Deposited April 6, the original sales tax yielded $42,268.05, $7,812.27 lower than 2020, which was $1,097.63 higher than 2019. The 911 sales tax brought in $53,195.54, $5,370.70 lower than 2020, which was $429.10 higher than 2019. The courthouse renovation tax pulled in $52,195.66, $5,370.53 lower than 2020, which was $428.78 higher than 2019. The infrastructure tax paid $26,026.71, $2,756.12 lower than 2020, which was $333.99 higher than 2019. The use tax netted $39,933.42, $16,238.01 higher than 2020, which was $6,022.89 lower than 2019. The Proposition P Sales Tax for Law Enforcement brought in $42,310.97, still in its first year.
The county's balance sheet at the end of March showed income of $1,366,091.97 and expenses of $1,065,208.42. The year's beginning balance was $3,141,752.02 had grown to $3,442,636.57 by the end of March.
Osage County 911/EMA Director Ron Hoffman conducted an active shooter drill for his department last week. "It went really well, I think," he said.
When finished, Hoffman concluded there should be cameras in front and on both sides of the Annex. "We could use three more cameras to cover the avenues of approach," he said.
The camera trained on the rear of the building is very helpful, so covering all sides of it should add a lot. Commissioners were receptive, so Hoffman will study his budget to see if and how soon this can be done.
Osage County Sheriff's Office Intelligence and Administration Officer Andrea Rice had commissioners sign a form keeping the county eligible for the Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) program conducted by the United States Department of Defense. The program offers surplus equipment to local agencies for little or no money. Osage County now has and uses several pieces of equipment obtained through LESO.
Osage County Circuit Clerk Beth Billington delivered courtroom sound system upgrade information to commissioners. The county is getting closer to improving that system. Judge Ike Lamke believes the Missouri court system might be able to assist with funding. Anxious to get the project rolling, Griffin commented, "That's been promised to you all a long time."
Commissioners briefly discussed improving the pay plan for Osage County Road and Bridge employees. Some long-time operators will become eligible for retirement in the next few years. In addition, the county has been having trouble with recruitment and retention.
"We don't want them all retired with no one to replace them," Trenshaw commented.
One idea is to add an experience incentive. It could offer advanced pay steps to new operators with years on the job in other locations. Commissioners took no action at the time.
Griffin announced a final total of three bids submitted for fence replacement around the antenna at the Osage County Courthouse. Commissioners intend to award a bid after more details come in on the sound system project. They want to make sure of budgeting flexibility.
Griffin and Sheriff Bonham will visit city council meetings at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, in Argyle, and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 in Westphalia.