EVERETT — The Snohomish Health District’s work force will be trimmed by about 25 positions next year, despite $368,000 in additional money from cash-strapped Snohomish County.
Cuts will be made to a number of programs, including elimination of the Healthy Communities program, which was launched two years ago to help people become more active through measures such as improved walking and bike paths and encouraging healthy eating habits through community gardens.
That seemed to be one of the most painful cuts for Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer.
Obesity rates are increasing, he said, which also can cause problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Three cities in the county, Lynnwood, Marysville and Everett, participated in the Healthy Communities program, he said.
But cuts to three full-time-equivalent health district positions will eliminate the district’s staffing for these programs next year.
This is just one example of the cuts made to the public heath agency’s budget next year.
Overall, program and personnel cuts will result in savings in excess of $1 million, said health district deputy administrator Rick Mockler.
Another part of the savings comes from cutting in half the hours the health district’s clinics in Everett and Lynnwood are open next year. Everett will be open three days a week and Lynnwood two days a week, starting Jan. 2.
An announcement is expected later this month on which days each clinic will be open, Mockler said.
Other program cuts include reductions to administration, the tuberculosis program, child health programs and an oral health program for kids with approximately 473 fewer children expected to get cavity-prevention treatments.
The injury prevention and West Nile virus education and surveillance programs will be eliminated.
The public heath agency first announced in August that job and program cuts were coming, due to the downturn in the economy that has forced many public agencies to reduce spending.
The Snohomish Health District will spend $19.8 million next year, including draining its fund balance by $600,000, Mockler said.
The cuts will trim the work force to 211 full-time-equivalent jobs, down from 236 this year, Mockler said.
In other action:
Cost-of-living increases of 2.5 percent were approved for nonunion employees next year, including the health agency’s two top officials. Goldbaum will get a $3,862 increase for an annual salary of $158,362. Mockler will see a $3,069 raise for an annual salary of $125,841.
Lake Stevens School District Superintendent David Burgess asked the health district to reconsider increases in fees for school inspections. The health district inspects schools for myriad problems including potential playground hazards and improper storing of chemicals used in chemistry classes.
Burgess said the increase in fees has already cost the school district about $1,000 this year. He suggested that health district and school employees work together to help trim the costs of these inspections.
Schools throughout the county are inspected every two years, spokeswoman Suzanne Pate said.
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
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