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Show B6 CLIPPER TODAY Initial health budget shows a deficit of $400,000 BY MEUNDA WILLIAMS Clipper Today Staff Writer - The Davis FARMINGTON County Health Department this week will submit a preliminary fiscal year 2000 budget to Davis Count commissioners, some $400,000 over projected re enues. with plans to work with county budget gurus to whittle that amount down, Tuesday, Health Board Member Joseph Mott, who heads the Finance Committee said the gap has surfaced because of a lag in contracts and OCTOBER 15,1999' FRIDAY E V ENING grants. The department receives revenue from taxes, fees and contracts and grants. Tax revenues have kept pace, fees are the same, but contracts and grants are flat to down," Mott told the board. He said after the department's division directors submitted their first budget proposals, the committee asked then to go back and cut, which he said they did. Now, the committee is asking help from the county in finding additional funds. While division heads attending the board meeting said they could think of no additional contracts or grants to apply for, Mott said, I wouldn't think there are no possibilities. It will take time and effort." Mott said the Finance Committee's concern with cutting expenses further is that in cutting the budget, public health services may be reduced. Were not prepared to recommend a reduction in services; he said. That concern was reiterated by Board President Beth Beck, who said she feared by cutting services, We'd be whacking away at the under girding of the foundation in some of these programs." One measure the board may consider is bumping up fee increases mainly within the environmental health area. Earlier this year the board approved a three stage fee increase for such services as restaurant and pool inspections. The fees were to be gradually implemented over a three-yea- r period. Nov with the deficit, the board may skip stage two and go right to stage three of the fee increases. The board approved a $20,000 fee increase in the Nursing Division's budget Tuesday to take effect Jan. 1, 2000. Those hikes include an increase in the fee for family health clinic visits to $10 per visit. Nursing Director Margaret Snow estimates it will bring in about $10,000. Other division increases include hikes in car seat purchases and rentals, day care services, and in fees charged for health professional classes offered bv the WEDNESDAY EVENING OCTOBER 20,1999 THURSDAY EVENING OCTOBER 21,1999 Committee focuses on teen suicide prevention BY MELINDA WILLIAMS Clipper Today Staff Writer FARMINGTON By next summer, Davis County will have an action plan in place to stifle the high suicide rate among teens. Davis County Health Promotion Director Kevin Condra shared information on the Safe Communities, Safe Schools and Safe Homes Suicide Prevention Committee with the Davis SUNDAY MORNING OCTOBER 17, 1999 WEEKDAY MORNINGS County Board of Health Tuesday, telling them the Intermountain Region has a suicide rate 30 percent higher than the national average and that Davis County falls eighth among 12 areas in the state in the number of teen suicides. A area in southern Utah had the highest teen suicide rate. Condra said Utahs teen suicide rate of 12 per 100,000 over a four year period could be considered an epidemic. Figures show that most suicides are committed by males ages The peak comes at about age 20. Condra told health board members, and then the number declines until it reaches senior citizens, when it increases again. The committee, made up of about 40 educators, health care professionals, clergy and parents was formed to. develop a comprehensive suicide action plan for Davis County with a primary prevention focus on youth (18 and under) and a secondary intervention focus on the family network (community and affected immediate family and friends.) according to its mission statement. Committee members will be divided into five work groups: training, 13-2- community education, community crisis, prevention and family support. t ! |