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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Health Officials Hope To Take Citizens’ Pulse Public Meetings May Help Panhandle Health District Set Priorities

What should rising population and a public call for less government mean for Panhandle Health District?

That’s what health officials hope to find out during a pair of public meetings this week in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls.

The health district, which provides services such as immunizations, senior living assistance and aquifer protection, is asking residents to critique its performance.

“It’s time we ask the community what services they use and how effective they are,” said acting administrator Kay Kindig. “Are we doing the things they feel we should be doing?”

The district, which serves all five northern counties, is embarking on a long-range planning process to establish priorities for the next five years, said district board member Dr. Richard McLandress.

He’s asking residents to attend meetings Wednesday and Thursday to tell officials what changes should be made.

Rapid population growth has brought with it an increase in public health problems, McLandress said. A recent whooping cough outbreak and the Legislature’s call for yearly food-handler inspections are examples, he said.

However, McLandress said “we need to be responsive to the desires of the community to reduce government expenditures.” The district wants public discussion about “the reality of that contrast.”

“Nobody’s talking about cutting,” McLandress said. “We’re talking about refining.”

Currently, the district is responsible for three primary areas of public health:

The family health arena deals with inoculation, nutrition and communicable disease monitoring.

Home health care provides nursing and other services to seniors and homebound residents.

Environmental health deals with aquifer protection through septic tank permitting and management of hazardous materials.

The agency has more than 250 employees and operated last year on a budget of $9 million. The proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, is $8.4 million.

District accountant Jim Fenton said the reduction included a $400,000 building project that was completed this year and a scaling back of some contract work.

But remaining cuts are the result of Gov. Phil Batt’s 2 percent holdback, and a loss of $52,000 in state funds, he said.

“This is a really tight budget the way it is,” he said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: What’s next The Panhandle Health District is asking residents to share their thoughts about the district’s priorities at meetings to be held 7 p.m. Wednesday at Post Falls City Hall, 408 Spokane Street; and 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kootenai County Extension Office, 106. E. Dalton, in Coeur d’Alene. Those unable to attend are asked to pass along suggestions by calling 667-3481.

This sidebar appeared with the story: What’s next The Panhandle Health District is asking residents to share their thoughts about the district’s priorities at meetings to be held 7 p.m. Wednesday at Post Falls City Hall, 408 Spokane Street; and 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kootenai County Extension Office, 106. E. Dalton, in Coeur d’Alene. Those unable to attend are asked to pass along suggestions by calling 667-3481.