WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
301 N. HERMAN STREET GOLDSBORO, NC 27530 Phone: 919/731-1000 Fax: 919/739-5023
Steven Smith, Chairperson Ira Thigpen, Co-Chairperson
OFFICIAL MEETING RECORD
The Wayne County Board of Health met in regular session on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at 12:15
p.m. at Wayne County Office Building Third Floor Conference Room, Goldsboro, NC.
The following members were present:
Mr. Charles Gibson Mr. Efton Sager
Mr. Ira Thigpen Mr. Jeffrey Kornegay
Dr. Gib Blackman Mr. James Roosen, RS, MPH
Secretary to the Board
Steve Anderson, Emily Bell, Fran Belton, Teresa Blankenship, Romelia Serrano-DeKeith, Leah
Grimmer, Dr. Tiffiney Harper, Tracy Ingram, Lib Jackson, Megan Newell, Carolyn King, Gale Pate,
Amanda Pliler, Jenny Sharpless, Connie Smith, Patsy Spear, Ken Stern, Susie Teachey, Kevin
Whitley, and Bonnie Crouse of the Health Department attended. Also present were Captain Michael
Renkas of SJAFB and Ms. Phyllis Moore of Goldsboro News-Argus.
A quorum was not established. Absent were Dr. O.R. Stovall, Dr. Michael Gooden, Mr. Steven Smith,
Dr. Kim Larson, Mr. Mark Bryan and Dr. Heather Smith.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Ira Thigpen, Co-Chairperson.
Invocation – Mr. Efton Sager
There was not a quorum at this meeting; therefore, the Minutes for the April 16, 2008 meeting were
not approved. The Minutes will be asked to be approved at June’s Board meeting.
Introduction of Guests: Captain Michael Renkas of SJAFB.
Public Comment: N/A
Outstanding Public Health Award & Certificate of Safety Achievement Award: Mr. Roosen: The
Wayne County Health Department received an award from the Eastern District NC Public Health
Association, Inc. for implementing a creative, innovative, efficient and effective public Health
Program. The Wayne County Health Department also received an award from the NC Department of
Labor for the outstanding safety and health efforts that resulted in a substantial reduction of injuries
and illnesses and the promotion of safer working conditions in 2007. Mr. Roosen thanked the staff for
their hard work to accomplish both awards.
New Employees: Amanda Pliler, Processing Assistant III, Family Planning; Tracy Ingram, Processing
Assistant III, WIC; and Emily Bell, Public Health Education Specialist, Health Education.
Approval of Well Regulation: Kevin Whitley. Mr. Whitley presented the new well rules to the Board.
The State has new well rules. The State Rules cover drinking supply wells. Environmental Health
well rules cover irrigation as well as drinking supply. Mr. Whitley stated the Environmental Health
rules needed to be updated to reference the State rules. These rules will become in effect on July 1,
2008. The rules have been posted at the Clerk of Court, which has to be done within 10 days and Mr.
Whitley will contact Phyllis Moore, Goldsboro News Argus, with placing an article in the newspaper.
Mr. Whitley will ask for the Well Regulation to be approved at June’s Board meeting.
Approval of Budget for FY 08-09: James Roosen. Mr. Roosen sent a report to the Board on the
proposed FY 08-09 Budget. Two copies of the Budget were placed on the tables for the Board to
review. Mr. Roosen discussed what the Budget means for Wayne County residents and discussed
department clinic client numbers for services provided. The budget represents services to Wayne
County residents and means cancers detected early, prevention of infant deaths, access to birth control
for teen girls and prenatal services to over 700 pregnant women per year. The bottom line is that an
investment in public health is a great value for taxpayers in terms of lives saved and improvements in
the quality of life. After several revisions to reduce the Budget, per County Manager, the Health
Department is now asking for $62,000 less of County dollars for next year than what the Health
Department has this year. More Medicaid Fund Balance has to be used to cover expected expenses for
the next year. Fee Revenues are expected to be decreased by 7.3%, Medicaid Earnings is expected to
be the same. Items that have been cut out of the Budget thus far include, scanning of archived records,
merit increases for employees, new positions. Mr. Roosen stated one item he would like to have
preserved in the Budget is the Cost of Living increase that is budgeted. This is an important item for
Mr. Roosen because of the turnover the Health Department has. Rewarding good employees with the
Cost of Living is something that needs to be done. Mr. Roosen asked for permission to allow staff
members to express their concerns about the proposed budget cuts. Mr. Thigpen granted permission.
Gale Pate, Connie Smith, Lib Jackson and Teresa Blankenship, Processing Assistants, spoke in support
of rewarding employees when goals were met. They stated the processing assistants are a critical part
of the health department and they have done an excellent job as evidenced by the annual Medicaid
Cost Audit, learning Spanish when appropriate and their low Medicaid denial rates. A recent study
done of PA III salaries was conducted and shows that Wayne County PA III’s earn less. No action was
taken. Ms. Blankenship commented that processing assistants have been told their jobs are a “dime a
dozen.” Romelia Serrano DeKeith, Social Worker, CSC, expressed concern that retaining good
employees makes better business sense than having a high turnover. Mr. Roosen stated Merits have
been cut out across County Government not only the Health Department.
Mr. Thigpen stated, from him only as a Board member, these comments being made are something we
should not tolerate. Mr. Thigpen stated he has concern about morale among employees. Mr. Thigpen
stated if anyone is spoken to in that matter, they need to go to Mr. Roosen. Bonnie Crouse,
Administrative Secretary II, commented in regards to the comment Ms. Blankenship stated on being
processing assistants being replaced. This comment was stated in a mandatory meeting held of County
employees. A high Human Resource employee made the same comment. Ms. Crouse knows she goes
above and beyond what is expected in her position. For a Human Resource employee to make that
statement was and is very degrading and disrespectful. The County Manager was also there. Mr.
Thigpen stated he would not let comments like that go unchallenged and that processing assistants
deserve more respect. Mr. Thigpen commented he didn’t know what we could do about the Merit
Raise; he has expressed his concern in an email because of morale. Mr. Thigpen stated the processing
assistants are underpaid and that the Health Department has benefits that other Health Departments do
not have. Mr. Thigpen believes the Board needs to see if they can get the salaries increased and asked
if there were any other Board members would like to speak on the issue. Dr Tiffiney Harper stated she
agrees on the Merit issue. Dr. Harper has concerns with recruitment in regards to salary especially
with the hygiene position. Dr. Harper’s competition is not the next Health Department down the road,
but with private dental offices. The fees they can charge and the patient population they are able to
treat, is a whole different world. Therefore, salary is definitely an issue. Mr. Roosen thanked the
Board for the deviation from the agenda and the staff for stating their case.
Program Presentations: 1) Dr. Harper, Dental, 2) Ken Stern, Budget/Personnel; 3) Susie Teachey,
Billing/Eligibility; 4) Leah Grimmer, Lab; and 5) David Hesselmeyer, Preparedness.
Revenue Report: Mr. Ken Stern reviewed the Revenue Report spreadsheet by program through April
2008. This report shows how much Revenue the Health Department has collected by various Fund
Sources and by programs.
Board Concerns/Comments: There was not a quorum at this meeting; therefore, Mr. Roosen will
schedule a Special Meeting with the Board to approve the 08-09 Budget. It was suggested by the
Board to hold the meeting after working hours to meet the Board’s schedules.
Mr. Gibson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Kornegay seconded the motion. The motion
was passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Submitted by
Date:
Bonnie Crouse
For
Date:
James Roosen, RS, MPH
Wayne County Health Department
Next Scheduled Meeting – June 18, 2008