Budget for 2019 goes to health board Wednesday

By Syerra Turry

BELLEVILLE – The proposed 2019 budget of Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health will be presented at Wednesday’s board meeting.

The budget shows that revenues for this year are expected to be similar to those of previous years, with the exception of money related to the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, which ended in September. This Ontario-wide program brought in revenue of $344,000 from the provincial health ministry in 2018, but also created costs for the health unit. The program will not continue in 2019, which partly accounts for an expected 29-per-cent decrease in office expenses, a 45-per-cent decrease in program supply fees and a 30-per-cent decrease in professional services fees.

The health unit plans to increase the amount it charges its member municipalities this year by 1.5 per cent.  This is to align with a two-per-cent increase in funding received in 2018 from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. according to a budget summary included with the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting.

That funding increase from the province helped the health unit hire a senior public health inspector, a full-time registered practical nurse, an epidemiologist and a foundational standards specialist last year, the budget summary says.

Other hiring last year, thanks to savings from a reduction in office, program and professional expenses, included contract positions for nurses and communications, technology and health-promotion positions.

The meeting will start at 10:15 a.m. at 179 North Park St., Belleville.

More to come.