Health Department’s Community Conversation—Does anyone know about it?

 

ABOVE IS FOUND AT:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/content/boone-county-board-health-special-meeting-53

Boone County Board of Health Announces New Administrator

 

By Mark Mayhew

Connect

Posted: Sep 02, 2016 11:52 AM CST

BELVIDERE (WREX) -

The Boone County Board of Health announces its new administrator for the Boone County Health Department.

Amanda Mehl, RN, MPH, begins her duties September 6.

She's a registered nurse and has a Master's Degree in Public Health.  She has served the Boone County Health Department since 2012 as the Director of Personal Health Services and worked at the Winnebago County Health Department in various roles.

Mehl says public health is in transition and facing a number of obstacles. She says the department's priority will be to prevent the spread of disease, promote health and protect the public.

Above is from:  http://www.wrex.com/story/32997559/2016/09/Friday/boone-county-board-of-health-announces-new-administrator

Boone County Health Board Meeting—August 29—12:00PM

 

The meeting lasted nearly three hours.   The following are the major actions of the board. All votes were unanimous voice votes.

Amanda Mehl was selected the new Administrator for the Health Department.  Eight other applicants apparently applied for the position based upon statements from the August 1 board meeting.  Amanda has worked for the BCHD for four and half years. She was employed as Director of Personal Health for a salary of $64,326 with insurance and health benefits costing $6,734.  The board’s motion hiring Ms. Mehl did not contain her new salary.  In an interview with Mr. Cox immediately following the vote, he stated that her base would be $72,000 and when the state approves her appointment (in approximately two weeks) the salary would increase to $85,000.  It is anticipated that benefits would be the same $6,734.

Moose Club, a Belvidere non-for-profit, will be reimbursed $2,485 for food permits that were incorrectly accessed. The VFW was reimbursed for a slightly large amount in the previous month.

It was announced that William Hatfield, Director of Environmental Health,officially applied for retirement and that will become effective December 30, 2016.

---Bill Pysson, personally in attendance at the open sections of the meeting.

Here are the salaries for the Boone County Health Department for 2016-7, all county employees’ salaries are available at: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/employee%20compensation%20FY%202016.pdf

Bill Hatfield’s View: Boone County works to treat all nonprofits fairly

• My View: Boone County works to treat all nonprofits fairly

• This opinion piece was printed recently in the Rockford Register Star and is available on line at:  http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20160827/my-view-boone-county-works-to-treat-all-nonprofits-fairly/?Start=2

• By Bill Hatfield

  Rockford Register Star

  By Bill Hatfield

  Posted Aug. 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM

• Bill Hatfield

• By Bill Hatfield

• Posted Aug. 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM

  In recent years a small group of vocal citizens has chosen to pressure the Boone County Board of Health, the Boone County Health Department and the County Board for continued special treatment at the expense of taxpayers and local businesses. They discovered that their not-for-profit status entitles them to the county code fee waiver for food permits.

  Fee waiver history: No waiver in the 1975 code. No waiver in the 1981 code. In 1987, a fee waiver was introduced for “nonprofit organizations such as: school districts, hospitals, day care centers and churches.” In 1995, the County Food Code was updated to comply with new state requirements.

  In that update the definition changed to “Bona fide not for profit organizations” based upon a conversation with the Illinois Department of Revenue that anyone having been issued an “E” tax number was an exclusively charitable organization and therefore “Bona fide not for profit.” The Board of Health then adopted the “E” tax number as the definition of an NFP but neglected to have it officially changed in the County Food Code.

  Instead of seeking consistency in the county code and calling for a fee waiver from all county fees, the group has concentrated on retaining the special treatment and is calling for elimination of the department. BCHD is an NFP organization that benefits Boone County citizens through a variety of services; many of which are either free or a reduced rate.

  Much revenue brought into the county through multiple state and federal grants can only be received by a “certified” local health department. Grants make up 44.9 percent of the department budget while the local taxpayer levy represents 24.3 percent. For every local tax dollar received, BCHD brings in $1.84 through grants, almost doubling the local tax contribution. A BCHD report is published annually, which gives a summary of services offered. At least 40,000 local citizens are impacted by BCHD services annually.

  Some false statements and wrong assumptions found in previous letters from the group are addressed below:

  BCHD wants to charge all nonprofits: BCHD seeks to remove special treatment enjoyed by some at a $20,000 annual expense to the local taxpayer. County code also waives food permit fees for NFPs located outside the county/state. The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a bona fide NFP established in California. Local taxpayers will subsidize them and other such groups if they apply for a Boone County food permit.

  Fees, no rhyme/reason: Actual costs incurred by BCHD for evaluating, permitting, educating and inspecting food facilities determine fees. The low risk permit cost was $162.21 in 2015. This baseline cost is adjusted to cover additional inspections/education/time required for establishments posing a higher risk of food-borne illness to the public. Illinois Department of Public Health Food Sanitation Code “risk” criteria are used by all Illinois health departments to determine minimum food management certification, education and inspection requirements.

Health Department says, "We are in the red. We need more money. We need more fees, now!": BCHD has never made that statement.

2013 wage increases: In 2013, the Health Department was unable to hire replacements for necessary positions due to noncompetitive wages. Adjustments brought wages in line with surrounding counties for similar positions.

Cindy Frank's 55 percent pay increase (2013): Published budgets show the administrator was paid $78,250 in 2013 and $80,116 in 2014; less than a 2 percent increase.

Administrator salary 2017: Administrators must meet qualifications required by Illinois statute that limit the ability to find and hire persons approvable by IDPH for the position. $90,675 is a maximum number in a proposed budget.

Combining jobs/layoffs: The balanced 2017 budget combines three management positions into two. Both remaining positions will assume more workload, responsibility and hands-on client contact activities day to day. Several BCHD vacated positions remain unfilled.

Money from taxes: Taxpayer money currently subsidizes all NFP food permit/education/inspection costs due to the NFP fee waiver. NFPs pay all other fees in the county code, from $5 clerk fees to $2,500 annual liquor licenses.

Volunteer organizations give back: The value of NFPs is not at issue. The issue is that everyone choosing to conduct an activity that causes an expense to the taxpayer must reimburse for that expense or choose to conduct an activity that has no cost to the taxpayer.

88 percent salaries and benefits: According to the Bureau of Labor Standards Economic News release, June 9, formula, the 15 workers at the department should have cost $1,322,977 in salaries and benefits. The department paid $979,852.

$500,000 in untapped grant money: All grants have requirements that must be met prior to grant expiration. There is no such thing as “untapped grant money.”

Food-borne Illness: BCHD has been required to assist in numerous food-borne illness investigations that occurred elsewhere. The only illness originating in Boone County recently was an outbreak at a closed event where volunteers were used and no permit was required.

Overtime: Employees who work weekends and evening hours are compensated by taking the equivalent hours off during their normal work week.

Crusader Clinic: BCHD works very closely with Crusader Clinic. Crusader can only offer medical services to those persons who are enrolled with the clinic and can afford a copay. Those who don’t qualify are referred to the Health Department for medical services.

Bill Hatfield is director of Environmental Health for the Boone County Health Department

Toria Funderburg speaks further on Health Department and other county activities

LETTER TO THE EDITOR-PUBLISHED AUGUST 12, 2016 IN THE BOONE COUNTY JOURNAL BY TORIA FUNDERBURG

How Not-For- Profits serve OUR County

Not-For- Profits are the safety net for many of Boone County citizens! Many of these organizations provide a service to the citizens that the Health Department does not or will not provide. The NFPs GIVE back to the citizens. The HD CHARGES fees for their services to support their $1.1 plus million dollar budget.

The fire departments, Lions Clubs, day care centers, schools, Helping Hands, Mental Health Resources League, YMCA, granges, food pantries and churches to name a few, GIVE back to the community and are NOT PAID for their services. They give BECAUSE their community needs help. There are some groups who have provided assistance for those in need since Boone County was established!!

Many NFP benefits, which have for years raised charitable donations to help others, have ceased doing so because of strict permit requirements. BYB ICE CREAM SOCIALS! Over the many years that this delightful event took place, how many people contracted a food-born illness (NONE) compared to how many kids played ball and didn’t join gangs? Pancake breakfasts were a great way to enjoy some social food-sharing hours and raise money for a needy cause. How many are still going? Church bake sales and salad luncheons raised much needed charitable money as well!! How many people attending them got sick?? NONE!! Churches serve food after funerals and for fellowship gatherings. Today, their kitchens are inspected by the HD. WHO did the inspections a 100 years ago when these churches were helping the people of Boone County then??

Our country has developed a GERM phobia! The health industry forgets that people develop anti-bodies when the body is constantly exposed to some germs everyday. That's what our human body is designed to do! The idea of charging a $75 food permit to give away commercially bottled cold water or individually commercially wrapped suckers was ludicrous. But the HD tried! They want fees whenever and wherever they can charge for them. It seems to be more about getting MONEY than using common sense while helping others!

If I share some homemade cookies with the kids next door, will I need a food permit since they won't be baked in an inspected kitchen or be individually wrapped?? Inspectors don't handle food! Cooks handle food so give them some credit for common sense. It’s because of the careful and conscience efforts of our food handlers, that there have been NO food-born illnesses in well over 5 years.

Last year, the HD made 422 inspections, 1.6 per weekday! How many inspectors did it take to handled that daily caseload? And scheduling? Did the health dept. rotate its schedule to have inspectors work some regular hours on the weekend of Heritage Days? NO because their staff doesn't
work on weekends. BUT, wouldn't it have made sense to have them work THAT weekend when they were needed and take a few weekdays off? Sure, but the HD just paid for overtime adding to the cost of their bottom line. So remember, if you need health care on the weekend, you'll have to use Crusader Clinic or Immediate Care or go to your doctor, because our HD is closed.

The Moose raises money for “MOOSEHEART.” The Lions Clubs help the blind. The VFW is one of Boone County’s biggest charitable organizations. They have helped veterans since Americans have fought in wars! When the VETS asked for assistance from the county board, they were told by a few members of the county board, "Get in line!" It took a letter from Lisa Madigan in Springfield stating Boone County's legal and financial responsible to aid Boone County Vets before the VETS received any assistance from the county coffers! Do ours soldiers tell us "Get in line" when we need help? The American Legion and the VFW have raised over $139,000 with their video gambling for the Boone County coffers. Did the BC board have to "get in line"? No, they just deposited their check! Our VETS don't get anything that they haven't worked for!!

The VFW has given out over $120,000 in scholarships in the past 10 years. Paid $60,000 in postage to send care-packages to our BC active servicemen overseas. Monthly, the VFW donates money to the Belvidere/Boone Co. Food Pantry, Salvation Army, BYB and the BC Conservation District to pay the admission for under privileged children for summer camp. They also donate to RAMP and CASA. Wrongly charged fees by the HD for 8 years, the money returned was donated back to the citizens of BC. (The American Legion and the Moose Club were also wrongly charged but they haven'y received a refund yet.)

Since 2012, the VFW has donated thousands to the local Veterans Assistance Commission of Belvidere. Since July 2013, the VAC has returned over $200,000 to our local VETS in services to help with food, shelter and job searching. Where do you think this money comes from. From hard working VOLUNTEERS. Does the HD have a staff of volunteers! NO! Next year, the HD’s projected budget is
88% for salaries and benefits totaling $941,001 to just 18 people! And, 12% to the rest of BC's 53,000 citizens. The're also asking for salary increases as well! Where will it end?

The HD receives approximately $198,500 annually from our local Health Tax Referendum collected from Boone County! They also receive state and federal grants but those are YOUR tax dollars as well. Their 2017 projected earned revenue shows $6,250 for contractors licenses? $12,375 for soil bores and $3,600 in lab fees above the HD base cost. They also show $5,750 for well permits, $46,000 for septic permits and $17,500 for well and septic inspections needed to secure loan applications through HUD. Add on $80,000 they hope to collect in "Other Clinic Services" category and it's hard to remember they are suppose to be a nonprofit organization! Now they want money from charity groups! Where will it end?

Of course they will have dept. expenditures too. Like..."Other Professional Services" for $32,964? Soil and Water salary and wages' for $32,400. It would be nice to have those broken down a little more! "Other professional services"; is a "wide class" and $32,400 is a lot of money. More detail in this area would be nice.

Citizens wonder, has the HD ever looked at reducing staff, cutting duplicated programs and working with Crusader Clinic to provide pre-school check-ups, vaccinations, lab tests and wellness checks? It’s a money-saving concept and one that should be considered or will the HD just keep expanding at the taxpayers expense?? The BC taxpayers already pay for Crusader Clinic. Utilizing their services and trimming the HD dept. budget of wasteful spending and fat would be prudent!

According to Illinois State law, Boone County is not required to even have a health department. Our NFPs work for FREE and GIVE to the many needy families of Boone County!! Does the HD work for FREE?? Is anyone there a volunteer?? NO!! SO, WHAT is it about this sense of GREED the citizens are feeling against the HD that the HD can’t understand?? The HD operates with over a million dollar budget and still they want more! WHERE WILL IT END?

Director Cindy Frank should have thought more about conserving money and balancing her departments budget than giving two of her employee big raises, and then a 13% raise to HERSELF! Where did she think the money would come from to cover these pay increases which have cost the BC taxpayer over $200,000 in salaries and benefits these past three years?? Where will next year’s dollars come from??? Of course! Ask the county for more! Or, get it from NFPs! And how do you do that? Ask the county to eliminate COUNTY CODE – Article. II, Div. I, Sec 30-35, (“h”) and mandate that the NFPs must pay for a FOOD PERMIT! Money the HD takes from the NFPs, is money taken away from those families in need!! Not everyone’s need is related to a health issue!! Some of our citizens live below the poverty level, does anyone on the HD staff live below the poverty level??

Last fall, the Boone County board voted DOWN the HD's request to charge the NFPs a food permit fee. NOW, they want the BC to rewrite our county codes! Wasn't NO last fall a display of how the citizens feel about the HD's constant demand to take money from those who truly GIVE? Is the HD oblivious to any other needs besides health? The citizens of Boone County must live within their means and so should the HD. Still, the HD initiates new programs each year costing more money. Expanding beyond their budget is irresponsible. Asking the NFPs to prop up their budget and taking those dollars from those with other needs is GREEDY. The volunteers who work so hard helping others should tell your County Board to vote NO on changing the 501 code!!

Some say the “federally issued 501” tax classifications, is a wide class. Contributions to many 501s are NOT tax deductible! BUT, if citizens only give when they can deduct it from my taxes, “WHO” is it they are really helping? Should we demand a receipt at the “Little Red Kettle” or just drop something
in? Or the fireman with their “boot” collection, should we demand a receipt from him as well?? Should people give ONLY when THEY can get something in return? Is that what being charitable means? I TRULY HOPE NOT! Maybe Boone County should go back the multi-county health care system, contract out all services and eliminate the HD. It would cost the county less and the savings could be directed towards our public safety providers! They need more money and they work on weekends!

The "Department of Environmental Services" could be eliminated too. What tests do THEY actually preform? They don’t have a lab! They don’t have any equipment! Mr. Hatfield, the Director of Environmental Services is paid $70,011 a year including benefits by the HD for this position. What does Mr. Hatfield actually do? Calls a state licensed contractor! WHO handled these services before his position was established? The building dept. could private citizens needing these services initiate these calls? Absolutely! Letting them contact the building dept. for a list of state licensed contractors could save the county $70,011 a year. Once the inspection or service was completed, could the citizen then deliver the completed form to the building department showing the required service properly completed whether it be for closing a well, installing a new well or septic, or an inspection for the sale of property to meet a legal requirement? Absolutely!

This approach is NOT about eliminating services for the citizens of Boone County; it’s about working with others to eliminate the duplication of services and allowing the NFPs to help our citizens in ways the HD cannot. If the Boone County continues to have a HD then the HD must be more transparent and cost efficient with the taxpayer’s money.

Boone County should be PROUD that it DOES NOT charge its NFPs a fee for helping those in need! Many of these volunteers PAY for the privilege to GIVE!

(All salaries as as well as meeting are posted on the county website..boonecountyil.org. Check it out!)

Toria Funderburg,
Boone County resident.

Boone County Health Department repaying nonprofits for incorrect permit fees

•  

• By Adam Poulisse
  Staff writer

  Posted Aug. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM

  BELVIDERE — The Boone County Health and Human Services Committee tabled a recommendation by the county Health Department tonight to change the county food service code.

  That change would require all organizations — including nonprofits — to pay annual food service fees.

  The current code exempts nonprofits from the fee, but a number have been charged for years. As a result, the Health Department is refunding thousands of dollars incorrectly charged to those organizations.

  "The county code has got to change because, right now, this is an absolute bottomless pit of freebies," Director of Environmental Health Bill Hatfield said after the meeting.

  A change in the county code is expected at a future subcommittee meeting.

  The proposal has prompted opposition from organizations and residents who say it would be unfair to force nonprofits to shell out money amid the state's budget impasse. The Health Department says the money lost by not charging nonprofits — $22,000 last year — is prohibitive.

  Hatfield said he doesn't have a record of how many nonprofits were incorrectly charged. However, he said they must show proof when seeking a refund.

  "You (have) to confirm and show documentation, and then it will go through the process," Hatfield said. "There doesn't have to be all of this anger that's going on."

  Belvidere VFW Post 1461 recently was refunded $2,485 in fees that stretch back to 2008. The post offers regular breakfasts that require them to have a food permit.

  Belvidere Moose Lodge is waiting to see if its application for a $2,500 refund is approved, Administrator Ed Fitch said.

  "I understand (the Health Department) has bills, too," he said, "but they should look at trimming the budget somewhere else."

  — Adam Poulisse: 815-987-1344; apoulisse@rrstar.com; @adampoulisse

• Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20160805/boone-county-health-department-repaying-nonprofits-for-incorrect-permit-fees

 

• NEWS ALERT-Posted Thursday night on FB by Boone County Board member Cathy Ward.

• 

  "NOT-FOR-PROFIT FEES in Boone . No decision Thursday night. Long discussion. Health chair Jeff Carlisle started the meeting with very strict rules if the public wants to speak, 3 minutes only, board member Brad Stark kept time to make sure no one went over. Jeff wants more very clear definitions of not-for-[profit before a decision is made. Board member Sherry Gieseke asked VFW and Moose members if they paid a liquor license fee and how much. They (Greg Kelm and Ed Fitch) said they do, $2,500. I asked why that was relevant as liquor fees don't go to the health department. Mrs. Gieseke feels if they have enough money to buy a liquor license, they have enough to pay a fee to the health department for their food permit fees. Keep in mind, however, that the vast majority of not-for-profit groups do not have a liquor license, do how does that fit? She supported the fees a few months ago, too. I maintain that every dollar we take from the not-for-profit groups is money that would go to help the people of our county. We taxpayers pay for the health staff to do their jobs. Should be a simple no vote. So frustrating. Lot of our taxpayers left pretty unhappy."

Health Department and non-profits at odds about financial responsibility of food permit fees

 

 

Health Department and non-profits at odds about financial responsibility of food permit fees

By Cameran Coy | 

Posted: Mon 5:46 PM, Aug 01, 2016  | 

 

BOONE COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) – The Boone County Health Department and local non-profits have been at odds since February about whether or not non-profits should pay for their food permit fees which allow the health department to educate and ensure those serving food are doing so safely.

Flickr / Sara Mohazzebi / CC BY-SA 2.0

The non-profits believe they should not have to pay for the permits since the only source of income they generate is the bare minimum to keep running and any extra money they make goes back into the community. The non-profits say if they start shelling out hundreds of dollars on top of what they already pay, some may just cease to exist. The health department argues that if the non-profits don’t pay the fees, taxpayers will end up paying the costs. The health department said last year the amount of permits handed out would have generated $22,000 and that money had to be covered by taxpayers.

"If you get to putting big fees on all these people, they probably will be discouraged from continuing on with their non-for-profit org. Not all of them, but some of them,” says Greg Kelm, Commander of VFW Post 1461.

"We have to pay the staff for being here and doing those inspections. And if we're not getting any money then it comes out of the tax levy," says Boone County Health Department administrator Cindy Frank.

The non-profits say that it’s ridiculous that the health department only averages two inspections a day, while the health department says that because they have two employees certified to do inspections, that two a day is doing good since one inspection is an all-day event from beginning to end and not just checking a few boxes.

The non-profits around Boone County said they are grateful that recently the health department has reached out to have a sit down and hear their concerns. Both groups say that no matter how it turns out, they are grateful that at least now they have a line of communication and look forward to working this out, as both groups realize the benefit each has on the community.

Above is from:  http://www.wifr.com/content/news/Health-Department-and-non-profits-at-odds-about-financial-responsibility-of-food-permit-fees-388883452.html

 

 

Below is Commander Kelm’s words and comments regarding his public comment to the Health Department Board this afternoon.

Greg Kelm

5 hrs ·

I had 120 seconds (2 full minutes) to speak to the Boone County Health Board today (under public comment) and here is what I said:

Please remember, the Boone County Health Department out of 1.1 million dollar budget, use 88% for wages and benefits for 18 people. Mr. Hatfield was quoted in the Sunday paper saying not getting the fees from not for profits is a bottomless hole.

In my opinion Mr. Hatfield, the bottom less hole is an over staffed over paid health department that is now whining for more money from the not for profits. With a budget of over 1.1 million dollars for 18 people seems a bit excessive. Ms. Frank states all these events on weekends take time from the staff during the week. Well Ms. Frank, why don't you have people staffed on weekends with their days off during the week?

I received a freedom of information act request last Friday from the Boone County Health Department. Did you know by your records Monday through Friday you did not even average 2 full food inspections a day for 2015. That screams inefficiency at its highest level. I wonder how many people are paid to do these inspections? What else are these people really doing that are paid to do food inspections?

Ms. Frank always talks about food-borne illness outbreaks. Again, with another recent FOIA I asked for the last 5 documented outbreaks in Boone County. The health department could not site one.

Food is consumed by all residents in Boone County each and every day. The people that truly keep our food safe is the FDA with their inspections and tests.

Do we really need a 1.1 million dollar health department in Boone County to provide “cushy jobs” for 18 people?

Do we really even need a health department? Could we combine it with another county health department and have good results and maybe save taxper's dollars to get out the health department out of the red?

Do the people who work in our animal shelters let the animals starve and not receive water over the weekend, of course not.

Do our Police and Fire protection just work Monday through Friday? No they are there 24 hours a day 365 days a year and I must add they do an outstanding job.

They are there working weekends like the health department really should be doing, working weekends.

Today 4 board members at least listened to what was said today by myself and Marion Thornberry. In my opinion this “train-wreck” could be sorted out.

Mr. Kelm’s statement is from Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lisa.paulsenrodgers/posts/10209916842898329

Commander Kelm’s view of Boone County Health Department

By Greg Kelm

Posted Jul. 17, 2016 at 10:00 AM

The Boone County Health Department recently wrote a check for $2,485 to the VFW/Boone County Veterans Club for food-service permit fees with which they had been wrongly charged since 2008.

Now, the Health Department again wants to charge all of the nonprofits in Boone County.

About eight weeks ago, I asked for the last three years of wrongly charged food-service permit fees, totaling $1,260 ($470, $395 and $395) to end this matter. Sherry Branson, a board member for the Boone County Board and the Boone County Health Department, countered with $412 to settle it.

At the last Health Department board meeting, I firmly asked the board to pay what it owed the club — $2,485 — or the club would hire counsel. And if it won, members would ask for not only the $2,485 since 2008, but for attorney fees and court costs. I was contacted later that day and told that a check for $2,485 would soon be in the VFW's hands. When countered, the Health Department board topples like a house of cards. At our VFW Post meeting June 13, the VFW decided it will donate the $2,485 back to the nonprofits in the community within the next 90 days.

Since 2006, our food permit fees at the VFW have increased more than 522 percent. The VFW paid $450 for a food permit in 2015; McDonald's & Burger King paid $205 per year; Belvidere Ace, $120; Subway Gateway, $205; The Brick, $240; Buchanan Street Pub, $140; Buchanan Street Bar and Grill, $450; Tropical Oasis, $260; Pizza Hut, $240; Maria's Pizza, $450; Arby's, $450; and Starbucks, $240. The fees are all over the place with no rhyme or reason.

When I asked the Health Department why there was a more than 100 percent difference in fees between the VFW and McDonald's, I was told that the VFW was considered “high risk.” Again, I would like to point out that the McDonald's fee is $205 and Belvidere Ace is $120. One sells food 24/7 (McDonald's), the other sells soda and candy bars and gives away popped popcorn (Ace Hardware).

Now, the Health Department wants all nonprofits to pay fees. The sky is falling and the Health Department says, "We are in the red. We need more money. We need more fees, now!"

My concern is, if you have budget problems, why, in 2013, did you, the Health Department, give your staff $56,000 in wage increases? In three years, that raise has grown to more than $168,000. It is reported that Cindy Frank gave herself a 55 percent pay increase. I am curious if this was really true? I know we all dream of a “cushy” lifetime, an 8-to-5 government job with most weekends and all major holidays off, and raises to our own pay whenever we can. But in the real world outside of government that does not happen.

The Health Department now proposes hiring an administrator for $90,675 in 2017. Boone County Health Department, hello, have you ever heard of truly working to have a balanced budget in place? Maybe you need to combine some jobs or have some layoffs so you can then be in the black. All of your money comes from local, state or federal taxes, (grants) our money.

Maybe everyone needs a 10 percent pay decrease at the Health Department. But please leave the churches, the granges, youth baseball and all of the volunteer organizations of Boone County alone. They give so much back into our county.

The 2015 annual report stated that the Health Department had a budget of more than $1.1 million dollars. Eighty-eight percent was used for salaries and benefits for staff. Again I say, hello? Is anybody out there?

Health Department: Is it true that year after year you have more than $500,000 in untapped grant money? Are you keeping this for future pay increases?

Greg Kelm has been the commander of VFW Post 1461 Belvidere since 2006; president of the Boone County Veteran's Club since 2006; and commissioner of the Veteran's Assistance Commission of Boone County recognized 12-12-12 by Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Please feel free to contact him at gkelm@vfw1461.com.

 

 

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20160717/my-view-boone-county-health-department-in-dire-need-of-balanced-budget

Non-profit food fees on apparent HOLD

The following is from Cathy Ward’s FACEBOOK and refers to Boone County’s Health and Human Services Committee of the Boone County Board.  This committee under normal circumstances must vote on the issue before the issue goes to the Boone County Board.

 

Cathy Ward

11 hrs ·

BOONE COUNTY - NOT FOR PROFIT FOOD FEES - Decision on the Health Department's request to add food fees for not-for-profit groups on hold for a while. Last night (Thursday) Toria Funderberg, Marion Thornberry and I argued at length against these fees but Health Administrators Cindy Frank and Bill Hatfield kept pounding on their need for more money from these fees (they would add about $25,000 to their budget.) I have long argued that the good these many, many groups here do , far outweights the money the health department wants. Committee Chair Jeff Carlisle said he needs lots more information before he will consider a vote on this highly controversial issue. Thanks, Jeff. Their proposed budget is over $1 million this year and includes a proposed salary for the administrator of more than $90,000. Lots of questions here need to be answered. If you recall the health department gave raises a couple years ago that were 55%, 33% and 13%. These have added to their increased budget. Amazing. Thanks to all that attended.

Cathy Ward’s Update on food permits for not for profits

Cathy Ward

20 hrs ·

BOONE COUNTY NOT-FOR-PROFITS FOOD PERMITS - Fee hikes for not-for-profit food events are not expected to be voted on at the monthly Boone County Board Health Committee meeting Thursday (July 7) , Health Committee Chair Jeff Carlisle said today (Tuesday). The Health Board, by a vote of 8-1, approved seeking fees for all not-for-profits last week, but Carlisle wants more time to review their proposal. Good news. I have been opposed to this for years, but it keeps coming back from the health board. Carlisle voted against the proposed hikes a few months ago, too. To be approved, the majority of the full board must approve this proposed hike. Unless other county board committee members push for approval, it will not come before the full board this month. I will continue to oppose this.

Above statement is from FACEBOOK

Boone County Health Department requests significant changes to Boone County Code

 

Boone County Health Department requests significant changes to Boone County Code

By Lisa Rodgers

Reporter

BOONE COUNTY – On Nov. 2, the Boone County Board of Health held its monthly board meeting.  Under 8. NEW BUSINESS: (For Action and/or Discussion) item B. Amendments to County Food Code- pages 37 through 45 was presented to the health board by Bill Hatfield, Director of Environmental Health.

Referring to pages 37 through 45 of the agenda (see below) Hatfield gave a brief explanation of the request.

“Periodically we do a review.  We are just doing some house cleaning.  Boone County Health Department (BCHD) never officially adopted these laws and we need to adopt them.  We are going to drop the Potentially Hazardous portion as it’s not needed,” Hatfield said.

The Potentially Hazardous portion may be found on page 38 of the agenda. This was the end of his report.  Hatfield requested board approval for it to be sent on to Health and Human Services Committee.  No discussion occurred and no questions were posed to Hatfield by the health board in regards to his request to amend the Boone County Code.  Health Board approved the request.

Here is the Boone County Board of Health Agenda from Nov. 2: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/A3RMNQ58FF81/$file/Health%20Department%20Written%20Report%20October%2C%202015.pdf. See pages 35 through 47.

On Nov. 5, the Health and Human Services Committee meeting met.  During the Health Department report Hatfield acknowledged adding two documents to the agenda late and only just prior to the meeting.

Discussion occurred and Hatfield explained the request to amend the county code was “just some house cleaning.  The State of Illinois has made so many changes we have not been able to keep up.”

Due to the late entry of Resolution 15 to18 to amend the County Code Section 30 as well as a summary, Chairman Paul Larson continued discussion to the Dec. 3 committee meeting.

Below is a portion of the current Boone County Code and the request to amend the same section by the Boone County Health Department.  This is only one section where many amendments are being requested.

Currently under Chapter 30-Food and Food Establishments

“Section 30-27 State rules adopted.

The inspection of food service establishments; the issuance, suspension, and revocation of permits to operate food service establishments; the prohibiting of the sale of unsound or mislabeled food or drink; and the enforcement of this article shall be carried out in accordance with the latest editions of the state department of public health “Rules and Regulations for Food Service Sanitation” and “Rules and Regulations for Food Store Sanitation,” three certified copies of each of which shall be on file in the office of the county clerk. (Ord. of 3-8-1978, § 1; Code 1981, § 8-17; Ord. No. 95-35, § 1, 11-8-1995; Ord. No. 99-38, 10-13-1999)”

The link to see the full amendment is: https://www.municode.com/library/il/boone_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SUHITA

On page 38 of the agenda, the BCHD is requesting to amend 30-27 of the Boone County Code by adding11Illinois Statutes.

“Sec. 30-27. State rules adopted.

The inspection of food service establishments; the issuance, suspension, and revocation of permits to operate food service establishments; the prohibiting of the sale of unsound or mislabeled food or drink; and the enforcement of this article shall be carried out in accordance with the latest editions of the state department of public health “Rules and Regulations for Food Service Sanitation” and “Rules and Regulations for Food Store Sanitation,

The following State statutes are also referenced in this Part:

• Alternative Health Care Delivery Act [21 0 ILCS 3]
• Nursing Home Care Act [21 0 ILCS 45]
• Good Samaritan Food Donor Act [745 ILCS 50]
• Hospital Licensing Act [21 0 ILCS 851]
• Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 USC 301)
• Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act [410 ILCS 6201]
• Grade A Pasteurized Milk and Milk Products Act [41 0 ILCS 6351]
• Meat and Poultry Inspection Act [225 ILCS 6501]
• Sanitary Food Preparation Act [410 ILCS 6501]
• Freedom of Information Act [5 ILCS 1401]
• Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act [41 0 ILCS 6251]

three certified copies of each of which shall be on file in the office of the county clerk.

(Ord. of 3-8-1978, § 1; Code 1981, § 8-17; Ord. No. 95-35, § 1, 11-8-1995; Ord. No. 99-38, 1013-1999)”

Health and Human Services Committee meeting is on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. at 1204 Logan Ave. in Belvidere in the Administrative Building.

Boone County Board meeting is on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at 1204 Logan Ave. in Belvidere in the Administrative Building.

Boone County Board of Health meeting is on Jan. 4 at noon at 1204 Logan Ave. in Belvidere in the BCHD conference room.

Boone County Health Department requests significant changes to Boone County Code

McHenry County Blog reports local case of drug-resistant TB

Very interesting report from Cal Skinner.

 

With all the talk about consolidating government, I’ve been wondering why McHenry County still has a Tuberculosis District.

It is financed with $250,000 of property tax dollars a year.

TB Districts were the first public health districts in Illinois.

McHenry County did not create its own Health Department until the mid-1960’s.  (My home county on the Eastern Shore of Maryland had a health department before I was born in 1942.)

In  the 1980’s then County Board member Ann Hughes got a referendum on the ballot to abolish the TB District, but that failed.

I recently took a look at the meeting packet of the TB District and found an extraordinary story.

McHenry County’s Health Department dealt with a case of drug resistant tuberculosis of nationwide significance in May and June.

How important was it?

The New York Times wrote a big story about it entitled, “Indian Woman Being Treated in U.S. for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Susan Karras

Quoted was Susan Karras, the Health Department’s Communicable Disease Coordinator.

A woman recently from India via Missouri and Tennessee sought medical help from a local hospital.

When diagnosed with tuberculosis, the Health Department arranged for her medical care to be provided by a National Institutes of Health hospital near Washington.

Federal taxpayers foot the bill there, according to Anthony Fauci, head of the agency, “Everything is free at the N.I.H.  No one pays,” the New York Times reported.

Karras told me that the County paid to fly her to the National Institute of Health facility in Bethesda, Maryland.

The air ambulance cost $12,000.

McHenry County Health Department Director Michael Hill explained what happened:

Mike Hill

Because we were able to get this patient to NIH (this involved going all the way to the President’s office [by the CDC]) the direct costs to us were minimized.

I was able to get the air transport done for $12,000 (quotes ranged up to $35,000 from the few companies who were willing to do it).

I can’t complain about the federal government in this case since the patient’s treatment by NIH probably will end up in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the feds took on that expense.

If the county had to absorb the cost of this patient’s treatment, it would have been financially crippling for the TB program.

Below is the summary of the case that caught my attention.

Spread of the type of tuberculosis treated in McHenry this summer.

 

Additional Daily Reports are available at:  http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2015/11/25/mchenry-county-center-of-dangerous-tb-case/

 

On June 5th, the Health Department sent out the following press release on the matter:

Health Department reports case of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

Woodstock Ill. — McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reports that on April 4 an individual from India infected with an extensively drug-resistant form of Tuberculosis, also known as XDR-TB, entered the United States and then traveled to other states.

On May 18, this individual visited family in McHenry County and, during this visit, sought treatment.

The patient has since been transferred out of state for care. Individuals who were in close contact with the patient have been interviewed and are being monitored.

Tuberculosis is not easily transmissible and XDR-TB, in particular, is also rare.

XDR-TB is a form of TB which is resistant to many of the most powerful anti-TB drugs.

According to the World Health Organization, developing XDR-TB is usually a sign of an active TB patient receiving inadequate clinical care or when a patient doesn’t receive the proper information, counseling and material support to complete their full course of treatment.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air by an infected person when coughing and sneezing.

People who are nearby may breathe in the TB bacteria and become infected.

TB is not spread by shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or kissing.

This is the first time MCDH has identified a case of XDR-TB in the County.

MCDH works closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Illinois Department of Public Health and local public health partners through its surveillance system to identify and monitor reportable infectious diseases in McHenry County.

In 2014, five active cases of TB (not XDR-TB) and 57 people with latent, non-infectious TB were treated.

MCDH’s Tuberculosis Clinic, located in Woodstock, provides chest x-rays, diagnostic studies, laboratory services and medication to any McHenry County resident in addition to outreach to those populations at high risk for developing TB.

If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB, contact your health care provider or MCDH to see if you should be tested. For more information on TB, call MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500

Posted in CDC, Centers for Disease Control, Contact Tracing, Illinois, McHenry County, McHenry County Health Department, Mike Hill, Susan Karras, TB Board, TB District, XDR-TB | 9 Replies

 

Above items are from: http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2015/11/25/mchenry-county-center-of-dangerous-tb-case/

 

 

 

 

 

 

By DENISE GRADYJUNE 9, 2015

Inside

Photo

Susan Karras, the communicable disease coordinator for McHenry County, outside Chicago, where a TB patient visited. Credit Steve Kagan for The New York Times

 

 

In the latest incident, a woman with TB flew from India to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, landing on April 4. She traveled by car to visit relatives in Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri before seeking medical care sometime after May 18 at a hospital in Illinois. Tests there detected extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, or XDR-TB. Doctors notified the state health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The arduous task of contact tracing began in the three states.

Health officials say the risk to the public is low. TB is nowhere near as contagious as the flu or measles. But people who had long periods of close contact with the patient, like the relatives with whom she stayed, are at risk.

For people who were on the flight with the woman from India, the odds of catching TB are low but not zero. Cases have occurred in passengers on a long flight who sat near someone in advanced stages of the disease. In this case, the C.D.C. said, it will obtain the flight manifest for the woman’s trip from India and notify passengers who may have been exposed. An agency spokesman declined to reveal the airline or flight number.

Visitors from other countries are not screened for TB when they arrive, but those applying for legal residency are required to have TB tests, according to the C.D.C. Even if the government wanted to screen arriving passengers, it would be difficult, because there is no rapid test for tuberculosis.

On Friday, the patient from India was transferred to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. In the past two decades, the N.I.H. has treated about 20 patients with drug-resistant TB, the most recent a year or so ago, according to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Most came from other countries.

“Our track record has been good,” Dr. Fauci said, adding that about 80 percent were cured. That success rate is higher than the figures usually cited — 30 percent to 50 percent cured — because the lower estimates include results from poorer countries that have less access to drugs and other resources.

“This person is looking at a very long course of careful treatment and observation,” Dr. Fauci said.

Globally, nine million people contracted TB in 2013, and one and a half million died from it, according to the World Health Organization. Nearly a quarter of all the cases occurred in India, which has the world’s largest epidemic.

Over all, drug-resistant bacteria cause only about 5 percent of all cases, and XDR bacteria are a small subset of that group, causing about 48,000 cases in 2013. But XDR-TB has shown up in 100 countries, and it can be deadly, particularly in countries with weak health care systems.

So far, 12 people who had contact with the woman in Illinois have been identified, according to Susan Karras, the communicable disease coordinator for McHenry County, northwest of Chicago, the part of Illinois the patient visited. They were traced in 15 to 20 hours of interviews with the patient and her family at the hospital and by phone.

Some have had TB tests, but Ms. Karras declined to reveal whether any were positive. People whose initial results were negative will be tested again in about eight to 10 weeks, because the infection does not always show up on early tests.

Spokesmen for the Tennessee and Missouri health departments said contacts were being traced in those states, but did not provide any details.

Anyone who is infected will be treated, Ms. Karras said. In many people, TB can be latent, meaning that their immune systems keep the infection in check so they are not sick or contagious. But latent disease can become active. So even people with the latent form of the disease will be treated with whatever mix of potent drugs it takes to kill this particular strain of XDR-TB, she said.

“We want to treat it before it becomes infectious,” Ms. Karras said. “That’s why we want to find them.”

The woman from India is in isolation in a hospital at the N.I.H., Dr. Fauci said. She has no contact with other patients, and doctors and nurses who treat her must wear gloves, gowns, eye protection and specially fitted masks called N-95 respirators. Even though they take every precaution, health workers who treat TB patients are usually tested for the disease once a year, Dr. Fauci said.

At the N.I.H., patients with this kind of TB are usually kept in the hospital for weeks or even months, until sputum tests no longer find the bacteria, indicating that the disease is not contagious anymore, Dr. Fauci said.

Standard TB usually requires treatment with four drugs, which can take six to nine months. Treating XDR-TB takes longer, sometimes a year or more, and requires more drugs.

The drugs have unpleasant side effects that are hard to tolerate, Dr. Fauci said. They cause nausea, weakness and other problems that make patients want to quit taking them before the full course is finished. But missing doses and quitting too soon are precisely what cause drug-resistant bacteria to develop — requiring even longer treatment with more drugs and nastier side effects.

Sometimes in severe cases, surgery is needed to remove diseased and scarred parts of the lung harboring bacteria that the drugs cannot reach.

The patient will not be charged for her treatment. Even if patients are citizens of other countries, Dr. Fauci said, their governments are not billed.

“Everything is free at the N.I.H.,” he said. “No one pays.”

Dr. Fauci said that the woman’s treatment would be expensive, given the long stay and costly drugs needed, but that he could not even begin to estimate the ultimate cost.

Above is a from: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/health/indian-woman-being-treated-in-us-for-drug-resistant-tuberculosis.html?_r=2

Extra, extra, read all about it! New law tells us we can have our bake sales!”

 

By Lisa Rodgers

Reporter

SPRINGFIELD- In February, legislation was introduced by Rep. Michael Tyron to amend the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act 410 ILCS 625/.  On July 30, Illinois Legislators approved the revision of the Act that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.  The new legislation will directly impact the following:

“Synopsis as introduced amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act.

“Provides that a home kitchen operation does not include a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes.

“Adds additional requirements in order to qualify as a home kitchen operation. Makes changes concerning the jurisdiction of the local governing body over home kitchen operations.

“Defines a term. Removes a provision prohibiting certain types of jams and jellies from cottage food operations. Increases the gross receipt threshold of exempt food from $25,000 to $36,000.

“Allows the Department to adopt rules to implement the requirements of the amendatory Act,” according to www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2486&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=87873&SessionID=88&SpecSess.

The current statute has caused much confusion and frustration in the State of Illinois and ill feelings and frustration among many in the Boone County community who wish to help those in need.  With the help of a Task Force many additions have been added with very specific legislation.

In fact, the current statute contains approximately 5852 words while in comparison the new law has removed text, introduced an exemption and added specific permissible foods has significantly reduced the statute to approximately 3314 words.

Please refer to www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0191, for more information.

For example:

410 ILCS 625/3.6

Sec. 3.6 3.4.  Home kitchen operation.

(a) For the purpose of this Section, “home kitchen operation” means a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods food in a kitchen of that person’s primary domestic residence for direct sale by the owner or a family member.

As used in this Section, “baked good” has the meaning given to that term under sub-paragraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Section 4 of this Act.

A home kitchen operation does not include a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes; the production or packaging of non-potentially hazardous baked goods for these purposes is exempt from the requirements of this Act, or for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization, stored in the residence where the food is made…”

In the new statute effective Jan. 1, 2016, legislators provide an explanation as to why the statute has been revised.

(410 ILCS 625/3.3)

Sec. 3.3. Farmers’ markets.

• The General Assembly finds as follows:
• Farmers’ markets, as defined in subsection (b) of this Section, provide not only a valuable marketplace for farmers and food artisans to sell their products directly to consumers, but also a place for consumers to access fresh fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products.
• Farmers’ markets serve as a simulator for local economies and for thousands of new businesses every year, allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers and capture the full retail value of their products.

They have become important community institutions and have figured in the revitalization of downtown districts and rural communities.

• Since 1999, the number of farmers’ markets has tripled and new ones are being established every year. There is a lack of consistent regulation from one county to the next, resulting in confusion and discrepancies between counties regarding how products may be sold.
• In 1999, the Department of Public Health published Technical Information Bulletin/Food #30 in order to outline the food handling and sanitation guidelines required for farmers’ markets, producer markets, and other outdoor food sales events.
• While this bulletin was revised in 2010, there continues to be inconsistencies, confusion, and lack of awareness by consumers, farmers, markets, and local health authorities of required guidelines affecting farmers’ markets from county to county.

The link provided below will direct you to the complete new statute effective Jan. 1, 2016: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0191.

While conducting research for an additional article on Sept. 3, the following website forrager.com/law/illinois/ provided the new statute and further information.

Extra, extra, read all about it!  New law tells us we can have our bake sales!”

Food permits still free for nonprofits in Boone County - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

Ben Stanley

Posted Sep. 22, 2015 at 3:07 PM

BELVIDERE — Food permits will remain free for nonprofit groups in Boone County.

The County Board voted down an ordinance on Sept. 16, that would make nonprofits pay 50 percent of the permit fee normally charged to organizations that wish to serve food at fundraisers and events.

“Justice prevails," said Marion Thornberry, legislative director of the Illinois State Grange and moderator for St. John's United Church of Christ in Belvidere. "The nonprofit people in Boone County, they represent things that the counties, the states the countries need and never provide ... so to say we have to pay for (food permits), when we’re already providing (services) is ludicrous."

For years the Boone County Health Department has waived food-permit charges for nonprofits. Health Department officials say Boone is one of only two counties in the state that does not charge nonprofits for food permits.

The new measure would have charged nonprofits, on average, $108 for an annual food permit. The maximum price the Health Department could have charged a nonprofit group for a food permit had the ordinance passed is $225.

Department officials estimated the ordinance would have generated $9,000 a year. The Health Department receives tax money and government grants to operate each year, but it has been losing revenue. In its fiscal 2015 budget, the department is projected to expend nearly $60,000 more than it will collect.

"It was kind of painful, but I certainly understand their point," said Health Department Administrator Cindy Frank. "(The vote) didn't come as a big surprise ... I’m sure the health department will probably try it again if the makeup of the board changes over time. It kind of depends on how things go."

Ben Stanley: 815-987-1369; bstanley@rrstar.com; @ben_j_stanley

Food permits still free for nonprofits in Boone County - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Other Posting regarding the issue:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2015/09/county-board-votes-down-health-fees-for.html  and http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2015/09/boone-county-board-deny-not-for-profit.html

Boone County Health Department inconsistent over rhubarb explanation

Posted by RVPEditor / In Belvidere Daily Republican, Public Meetings

By Lisa Rodgers

Reporter

BOONE COUNTY-The rhubarb over rhubarb in Boone County continued at the Boone County Board meeting on Sept. 16.  A large group of non-for-profits (NFP’s) were in attendance to oppose a fee for food permits for NFP’s.  The request was originated by the Boone County Health Department (BCHD).

During the public comment portion of the fees, information was presented that Illinois State Legislators have introduced and approved legislation effective Jan. 1, 2016 to amend the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act 410 ILCS 625 and offer NFP’s exemption from the law.

“A home kitchen operation does not include a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes; the production or packaging of non-potentially hazardous baked goods for these purposes is exempt from the requirements of this Act…”

While conducting research on Sept. 3, the following website forrager.com/law/illinois/ provided information for articles previously published in the Belvidere Daily Republican,   (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0191).

NFP’s in Boone County have consistently stated that the BCHD inspectors as well as other department personnel have informed them that rhubarb is prohibited.

“We have been informed that any type of rhubarb is prohibited due to ‘rhubarb being poisonous’ and that‘the restriction is being mandated by the State of Illinois,’” anonymous NFP sources said.

At the Sept. 16 Boone County Board meeting the following response was given in regards to the new law.

“Yes, that is correct there is a new law coming as of Jan. 1 that we (BCHD) have chosen not to make public to avoid any further confusion,” Boone County Health Administrator Cynthia Frank said.  “You will be able to have bake sales, but only non-potentially hazardous foods will be permitted.  No permit will be required.  No cream pies and no rhubarb.”

This statement sparked a boisterous outburst of anger from the audience.

“Bill Hatfield is not here tonight as he is attending a meeting to learn about the new law,” Frank added.

The following quotes from the BCHD were obtained from public meetings held on Aug. 31, Sept. 3, and Sept. 16.

Quotes also provided from the BCHD were also obtained from a meeting held Sept. 2 at the BCHD where the Belvidere Daily Republican was invited to discuss rhubarb.  In attendance were Public Health Administrator Cynthia Frank, Director of Environmental Health Bill Hatfield, Boone County Board of Health Member Marshall Newhouse, and Ellen Genrich who was required to attend as they were informed they were on the record.

On Aug. 31 an explanation was provided by BCHD when the rhubarb issue was raised in public comment about a recent NFP event.

“I received a phone call about the confusion and in about an hour the matter was resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.  This was an isolated occurrence and it has been resolved,” Hatfield said.

On Sept. 2 when asked if he stood by his comment that this was an “isolated occurrence” Hatfield responded, “There was no occurrence.  We have spoken to them and the matter was resolved in about an hour.”

Also, on Sept. 2, Several NFP’s were discussed as to having experienced similar problems over rhubarb.  “I have no written documentation in any of my paperwork from my inspectors in regards to an issue with rhubarb and have not received any phone calls/emails or complaints.  I am unaware of any problems,” Hatfield said.

“Rhubarb pie, jams, and jellies are permitted in Boone County if produced in a properly permitted commercial kitchen and may be served at a NFP event or sold at a farmers market,” Hatfield continued.    Frank verbally reiterated Hatfield’s statement in regards to rhubarb being permissible.

“When the law was originally adopted I am sure I read that rhubarb was completely prohibited.  Somewhere along the way the law changed.  It’s up to us to keep current on any changes,”Hatfield explained.

Documentation provided by an anonymous legal source from Westlaw 41 ILCS 625/4 on Sept. 9, 2015 shows the original law was adopted Jan. 1, 2012 and was effective until June 22, 2014.

An amendment was made and the new law went into effect June 23, 2014 until present.  In the original law, rhubarb was not mentioned specifically as being prohibited nor found in the amendment.

The next Boone County Board of Health public meeting is Monday, Sept. 28 at noon at 1204 Logan Ave. in Belvidere in the BCHD Conference Room.

Boone County Health Department inconsistent over rhubarb explanation

Boone County Board deny not-for-profit food permit request

 

By Lisa Rodgers

Reporter

BOONE COUNTY-On Wednesday, Sept.16, the Boone County Board held its monthly meeting. On the agenda was the request for not-for-profits (NFP’s) to pay fees for food permits.

Upon arrival at the meeting, the parking lot was a sea of cars and additional chairs were being added for the public who were in attendance.

The meeting was called to order and all board members were present.  A motion to move item 12 to the beginning of the meeting was approved. Item 12 had a motion to approve ordinance 15-23 Amending Boone County Code, fees for not-for-profits.

The Health and Human Services Committee approved the request on Sept. 3 in a 3-1 vote in favor.  The request originated with the Boone County Health Department (BCHD).

Discussion began and would continue for about 90 minutes as multiple people had signed up for public comment.

Early on in the discussion, Boone County Board member Cathy Ward informed the board and public that she had submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the BCHD and had obtained a list that reflected a total of 95 not-for-profits that requested food permits in the past year.

“We are not directly affected by this decision, but we are also not in favor of it.  It would add more hardship to the not-for-profits that they are already going through.  They are already working on a shoestring,” said a representative of United Way.

“Our church has a Wednesday supper and we are very passionate about it.  We put in a lot of time and effort and it’s something deep within our hearts.  This is the perfect chance for you to show how much you value our non-for-profits,” Ann Turner said.

“I went to the BCHD website and pulled information in regards to their finances.  One of the items listed is $35,000 in interest they received from their bank account.  How much money do they have in the bank?  Especially in this economy to receive that type of interest.  And yet they are here asking for money.  They also have a $15,000 slush fund,” Toria Funderburg said.

“The not-for-profits are the backbone of the county.  These NFP’s provide food and clothing that you would not be able to provide.  If you start nickel and diming them they will not continue.  All the proceeds the Granges make at the Boone County Fair are returned back into the community,” Marion L. Thornberry Legislative Director, Illinois State Grange, and former Boone County Board Member said.

In July of 2015, Boone County ranked 17 out of 102 counties in Illinois for unemployment at 6.8 percent.  It’s up over 1.1 percent from June’s rate of 5.7 percent.  Winnebago County is ranked 9 in Illinois with a July 2015 rate of 7.2 percent unemployment.  Statistics provided by www.idea.illinois.gov.

The only individual from the audience to speak in favor of the fees for the NFP’s was Boone County Board of Health member Liz Fiorenza.

In an article published Sept. 13 in the Rockford Register Star and written by Staff Writer Ben Stanley, BCHD Director of Environmental Services Bill Hatfield provided the following explanation as to the need of the fees for NFP’s.

“One of the things that’s getting overlooked here is this is a user fee,” Hatfield said.

“A not-for-profit is choosing to drive down the food highway, and there’s rules, and inspections. They could choose to drive down a road that is not food. They could sell sports equipment.  They could sell Popsicle sticks.

They could do whatever kind of fundraiser they want and not even have to worry about a food permit. But they’re choosing to do food, and the general public needs to have assurance that the food that’s being offered meets the public health code … and there are expenses involved.”

“Hatfield said the cost of health inspections has risen over the past 40 years as health codes expanded and more stringent rules were put in place.”

A roll call vote was taken with the following results.  Bob Walberg, Chairman-No, Paul Larson-Vice Chairman-Yes, Sherry Branson-Yes, Jeffrey Carlisle-No, Denny Ellingson-Abstain with no explanation, Kenny Freeman-No, Sherry Giesecke-Yes, Karl Johnson-absent, Raymond Larson- Abstain with no explanation, Brad Stark-No, Craig Schultz-No, and Cathy Ward-No.

Final outcome was three voting yes, six voting no, two abstained.  Karl Johnson was not present as he left prior to the vote.  Motion failed.

NFP’s in Boone County will not have to pay a food permit fee.

Boone County Board deny not-for-profit food permit request

Great rhubarb over rhubarb in Boone County ... - Belvidere Daily Republican

 

 

Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Great rhubarb over rhubarb in Boone County
By Lisa Rodgers
Reporter
BOONE COUNTY – According to Webster’s Dictionary and Daily Writing Tips (www.dailywriting tips.com/rhubarb-is-not-just-a-vegetable/), the word rhubarb may be used in the context of a vegetable, controversy, murmurous background noise, and in baseball.
Quotes provided from the Boone County Health Department (BCHD) were obtained from a public meeting of the Boone County Board of Health (BCBH) on Aug. 31 and from a meeting held Sept. 2 at the BCHD where the Belvidere Daily Republican was invited discuss rhubarb.
In attendance Sept. 2 was Public Health Administrator Cynthia Frank, Director of Environmental Health Bill Hatfield, Boone County Board of Health Member Marshall Newhouse, and Ellen Genrich who was required to attend as they were informed they were on the record.
Rhubarb (the vegetable) is the rhubarb (the controversy) in Boone County. And with this rhubarb (controversy) comes a rhubarb (murmurous background noise).
Where is the confusion originating? Is rhubarb pie permitted or prohibited? Recently at a NFP fundraiser, the rhubarb (vegetable and controversy) emerged once again.
Credible sources from the Boone County Community have complained, expressed anger, frustration as well as mistrust with the BCHD.
Members of non-for-profit’s (NFP’s) who have been issued a food permit said, “We have been informed that any type of rhubarb is prohibited due to ‘rhubarb being poisonous’ and that ‘the restriction is being mandated by the State of Illinois’.
“No information has been provided by the BCHD when the permit was issued in regards to what is at our event. We were informed of the rhubarb restriction at the time of the event and inspection,” said anonymous NFP sources.
On Aug. 31, an explanation was provided to the board/public when the rhubarb issue was raised in public comment about a recent NFP event.
“I received a phone call about the confusion and in about an hour the matter was resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. This was an isolated occurrence and it has been resolved,” Hatfield said.
On Sept. 2, when asked if he stood by his comment that this was an “isolated occurrence” Hatfield responded, “There was no occurrence. We have spoken to them and the matter was resolved in about an hour,” Hatfield said.
On Sept. 2, when different NFP’s were discussed as to having experienced similar problems over rhubarb it was explained.
“I have no written documentation in any of my paperwork from my inspectors in regards to an issue with rhubarb and have not received any phone calls/emails or complaints. I am unaware of any problems,” Hatfield said.
“Rhubarb pie, jams, and jellies are permitted in Boone County if produced in a properly permitted commercial kitchen and may be served at a NFP event or sold at a farmers market,” Hatfield continued in his explanation.
“For the two years I served on the Boone County Board, Hatfield claimed he had no complaints in regards to rhubarb or other issues. Nothing was documented in the reports, but fines could be verified.
Hatfield and I had numerous conflicts over the inappropriate and conflicting actions of the Health Department personnel. This can be verified by the minuets of Health and Human Service Committee meetings and County Board meetings,” said Marion L. Thornberry, former Boone County Board Member District 3 and Legislative Director, Illinois State Grange.
“Based on my conversations I am going to request a line item be added to the agenda of the next BCBH meeting to request a public meeting between the BCHD and the NFP’s in attempt to establish trust and remove any confusion of what is permissible,” Newhouse said on Sept. 2.
Despite all the rhubarb over rhubarb over the existing law there is exciting news for those who wish to have bake sales in Boone County.
While conducting research on Sept. 3, the following website forrager.com/law/illinois/ provided information on an amendment effective Jan. 1, 2016 to the current Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act that currently profit and NFP are subject too.
Unfortunately, the State of Illinois still considers rhubarb to be a Potentially Hazardous Food due to low acidity.
“A home kitchen operation does not include a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes; the production or packaging of non-potentially hazardous baked goods for these purposes is exempt from the requirements of this Act,” according to www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp….
The next Boone County Board of Health public meeting is Monday, Sept. 28 at noon at 1204 Logan Ave. in Belvidere in the BCHD Conference Room.

(23) Great rhubarb over rhubarb in Boone County By... - Belvidere Daily Republican

Extra, extra, read all about it! New law tells us we can have our bake sales!”

By Lisa Rodgers

Reporter

SPRINGFIELD- In February, legislation was introduced by Rep. Michael Tyron to amend the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act 410 ILCS 625/.  On July 30, Illinois Legislators approved the revision of the Act that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.  The new legislation will directly impact the following:

“Synopsis as introduced amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act.

“Provides that a home kitchen operation does not include a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes.

“Adds additional requirements in order to qualify as a home kitchen operation. Makes changes concerning the jurisdiction of the local governing body over home kitchen operations.

“Defines a term. Removes a provision prohibiting certain types of jams and jellies from cottage food operations. Increases the gross receipt threshold of exempt food from $25,000 to $36,000.

“Allows the Department to adopt rules to implement the requirements of the amendatory Act,” according to www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2486&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=87873&SessionID=88&SpecSess.

The current statute has caused much confusion and frustration in the State of Illinois and ill feelings and frustration among many in the Boone County community who wish to help those in need.  With the help of a Task Force many additions have been added with very specific legislation.

In fact, the current statute contains approximately 5852 words while in comparison the new law has removed text, introduced an exemption and added specific permissible foods has significantly reduced the statute to approximately 3314 words.

Please refer to www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0191, for more information.

For example:

410 ILCS 625/3.6

Sec. 3.6 3.4.  Home kitchen operation.

(a) For the purpose of this Section, “home kitchen operation” means a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods food in a kitchen of that person’s primary domestic residence for direct sale by the owner or a family member.

As used in this Section, “baked good” has the meaning given to that term under sub-paragraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Section 4 of this Act.

A home kitchen operation does not include a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes; the production or packaging of non-potentially hazardous baked goods for these purposes is exempt from the requirements of this Act, or for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization, stored in the residence where the food is made…”

In the new statute effective Jan. 1, 2016, legislators provide an explanation as to why the statute has been revised.

(410 ILCS 625/3.3)

Sec. 3.3. Farmers’ markets.

• The General Assembly finds as follows:
• Farmers’ markets, as defined in subsection (b) of this Section, provide not only a valuable marketplace for farmers and food artisans to sell their products directly to consumers, but also a place for consumers to access fresh fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products.
• Farmers’ markets serve as a simulator for local economies and for thousands of new businesses every year, allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers and capture the full retail value of their products.

They have become important community institutions and have figured in the revitalization of downtown districts and rural communities.

• Since 1999, the number of farmers’ markets has tripled and new ones are being established every year. There is a lack of consistent regulation from one county to the next, resulting in confusion and discrepancies between counties regarding how products may be sold.
• In 1999, the Department of Public Health published Technical Information Bulletin/Food #30 in order to outline the food handling and sanitation guidelines required for farmers’ markets, producer markets, and other outdoor food sales events.
• While this bulletin was revised in 2010, there continues to be inconsistencies, confusion, and lack of awareness by consumers, farmers, markets, and local health authorities of required guidelines affecting farmers’ markets from county to county.

The link provided below will direct you to the complete new statute effective Jan. 1, 2016: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0191.

While conducting research for an additional article on Sept. 3, the following website forrager.com/law/illinois/ provided the new statute and further information.

Extra, extra, read all about it!  New law tells us we can have our bake sales!”