The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD) will soon have a “new” health officer.
The Board of Health has decided that the department needs a health officer of its own.
Barb Conley, board chair, confirmed that Dan Thorell, who has served as health officer, a contracted service through the Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNWM). This department includes Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego counties.
The department had contracted with HDNWM for these services since 2015. The department paid 30% of his wages/ fringe benefits.
The FY 2025 budget for a health officer position is $180,492, including wages benefi ts.
The new budget year which began Oct. 1 was adopted Sept. 25 by the health board. The budget for fiscal year 2025, anticipates revenues and expenses will be down slightly as COVID funding sources are ending.
Total budget revenue of $7,603,671 is expected, down 1.4% from the 2024 amended spending plan.
State funding represents the largest revenue source at $3,390,837, down 11.8% from 2024.
Local funding represents a big chunk of revenue at $586,932 — $255,248 from Benzie County and Leelanau, $331,684, unchanged from 2024. The amount is based on population.
No increase in appropriations were requested from the counties.
Federal dollars of $110,124 are identified, up $26,214 from ‘24.
On the expense side of the ledger, salaries and fringe benefi ts to $5,529,015 — $3,973,551 in salaries and $1,555,464 in benefi ts. This represents a 7.4% increase in wages and 8.9% in benefits.
A 1% raise, plus an additional $1 per hour was included in the budget, to keep pace with inflation, business manager Dodie Putney said.
BLDHD’s wages are comparable to other agencies in the area.
The 2025 budget expires Sept. 30, 2025.
