The Greene County Board of Supervisors met in special session Wednesday.

The Board discussed public health and the services they provide to the county. The Board heard from Regional and Community Health Consultant with the Iowa Department of Public Health Heather Bombei. She talked about counties that have hospital-based or county-based public health departments. She also pointed out that three counties, including Greene County, had UnityPoint home care services.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf reviewed the types of services they provide to residents and what kinds of funding are used to support each service.

The Board was approached by public health and Greene County Medical Center to take over more of the funding for public health. The hospital is projecting a loss of $550,000 for the next fiscal year from public health. The Supervisors agreed to pay an additional $50,000 on top of their $150,000 contribution for the next fiscal year toward public health. CEO Carl Behne has also mentioned a three-year phase-in process where the County would take over more of the main funding stream.

Following Wednesday’s meeting, Board Chair John Muir said they will continue to gather more information and he would like to see a more finalized plan by the end of the year.