Carroll County Board of Health wraps up year with hires, updates and approvals

The Carroll County Board of Health held its final meeting of the year Dec. 17, welcoming three newly hired employees and addressing public health, financial and administrative matters.

The board introduced Brittany Loveless, environmental health administrative assistant and deputy registrar; Layla Salla, school-based telehealth nurse; and Yvonne Cook, adult protective services community health worker.

Salla, who previously worked for the Cleveland Clinic, said a lack of children’s hospitals in the region often resulted in higher emergency room use.

“The more I worked with all the kids, I thought they were pretty cool,” Salla said, noting that experience led her to pursue school-based nursing.

Loveless, formerly a Meals on Wheels driver and route manager, said she enjoys being part of the local community. Cook said her new role includes a stronger social work component than her previous medically focused positions but expressed confidence in her ability to adapt. Board members said they were pleased to welcome all three to the health district.

Health Commissioner Kelly Morris provided an update on the ongoing public health nuisance in the Stony Lake community. She reported attending a Nov. 21 meeting with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency representatives to establish a timeline for meeting state orders and coordinating funding, followed by a Dec. 16 meeting with county partners and the engineering consultant to discuss design and construction.

Morris also announced Carroll County was selected as one of only 60 health departments nationwide to participate in a National Suicide Prevention Community of Practice for Local Health Departments, sponsored by the National Association of City and County Health Officials. The initiative focuses on best practices and evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention.

In the environmental health report, Tina Bernard noted staff volunteered at a diaper bank Dec. 11, helping prepare diaper packs for distribution.

“Just giving back, because this is a great program our community utilizes very heavily, was a great gesture we all did together,” said Office Administrator Amy Campbell.

The communicable disease report showed increased cases of gastrointestinal bacterial infections, including salmonella and E. coli. According to Slater, several individuals refused antibiotic treatment, and one person was hospitalized with a perforated bowel after choosing homeopathic remedies. Officials said the trend highlights the need for new educational strategies that resonate with residents.

During the financial report, Campbell said year-to-date revenue totaled $1,708,755, with expenses of $1,561,284, leaving a balance of $829,179 including last year’s carryover. Revenue exceeded expenses by $147,471.

In other business, the board approved the November budget and payment of $116,332.18 in expenses; approved payment of $5,700 to the Fraternal Order of Eagles for food and services without a proper purchase order at the time of invoicing; approved appropriation amendments totaling $16,250; and approved an advance of $12,000 from the General Health Fund to the Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund to cover a negative balance.

The board also approved appropriations of $11,250 in the WPCLF to cover remaining fiscal year 2025 expenses; approved refunds of $36 to the Ohio Department of Health and $80 to Maximus Central Paternity Registry due to billing errors; approved 2026 chargebacks to townships and corporations totaling $177,817.82; and approved hiring Salla as a full-time school telehealth nurse for Carrollton Exempted Village School District at $23.55 per hour, effective Dec. 8.

Additional approvals included the 2026 Board of Health meeting schedule, with meetings held the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.; the 2026 federal holiday schedule, adding Nov. 27 and half days Dec. 24 and Dec. 31; the finalized 2023-24 fiscal audit; amendments to Aug. 21, 2024, meeting minutes; a memorandum of understanding and business associate agreement with Central Outreach Wellness Center for a mobile unit providing hepatitis C and HIV testing and treatment; adoption of the Carroll County cybersecurity program; and the third and final reading to amend food service and retail food establishment license fees for the 2026 license year.

The board entered executive session to discuss compensation of a public employee or official and adjourned at 7:31 p.m.