Grants Pass, Oregon — In a contentious meeting last week, the Josephine County Budget Committee finalized the county’s budget, with a significant and controversial decision to cut all general fund support for public health and reallocate it to the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Herman Baertschiger initiated the motion, claiming that this reallocation would result in the loss of only one full-time equivalent (FTE) position. However, this assertion has been called into question by local public health officials.
The $160,000 in question is not merely for staffing but is crucial for fulfilling a variety of state grants. Without this funding, the county stands to lose an entire series of grants, which would result in the closure of several public health programs and the elimination of multiple positions. Public Health Director Mike Weber expressed deep concern over the potential ramifications, emphasizing that the impact is far greater than Commissioner Baertschiger suggested.
