Health Department writes off grant, state budget impasse to blame

Knox County Health DepartmentThe Knox County Board of Health voted to remove $100,000 in anticipated revenue from their budget during a special meeting Saturday. 

Health Department Administrator Michele Fishburn says the money was from a grant through WISEWOMAN, a program that focuses on battling women’s cardiovascular disease.

With state allocations to county departments in limbo as a result of the Illinois budget impasse, the grant is not paying out.

Fishburn tells WGIL the decision to write off the grant was spurred along by the county finance committee.

“After the county board met with us and treasurer’s office rechecked with the auditors — because it kind of bloats your budget out — they had then said, ‘no, you should take it out, and once you receive the grant, we can put it in at that time,’ which we have done in the past,” Fishburn says.

Although the grant has a chance of coming through this year, Fishburn has her doubts.

“I’m kind of iffy on whether we’ll receive it or not,” Fishburn says, “but I will definitely pursue it the following year because I think it’s a great grant opportunity. Cardiovascular disease is a huge issue in our county.”

In reference to county budget cuts surrounding a $1.2 million general fund deficit, Fishburn says her department has been making fiscal changes and cuts since 2009. The Health Department is not paid for through the general fund.

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