BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell County Health Department is one step closer to taking public health services, including its COVID-19 response, into the community via a mobile health unit.
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners previously approved the use of Medicaid Maximization funding for the purchase of a mobile health unit, which will provide health care access throughout the county.
On Tuesday evening, the board will consider appropriating $747,500 in reserved funding for the purchase of the health department’s mobile health unit through Matthews Specialty Vehicles. The requested budget amendment includes a 5 percent contingency.
The board will meet at 7 p.m. at the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street in Statesville. The meeting will be livestreamed on the county’s website.
Iredell County is a member of the HGACBuy COOP and Matthews Specialty Vehicles is contracted with the HGACBuy COOP.
Therefore, the county will be able to purchase from Matthews Specialty Vehicles without going through a formal competitive bid process, if approved by the Board of Commissioners.
The motor home clinic, similar to an office setting would be staffed with medical professionals who will visit residents to offer COVID-19 testing, disease screenings, family planning services, immunizations, WIC (Women Infant Children) programs, dental care and more.
Current Health Department staff members would obtain their CDL license to be able to drive the unit. According to county officials, the services offered in the community would not replace or relocate current services but would instead expand their offerings.
Health Director Jane Hinson said she anticipates being able to offer services in the community several times a month at regular sites.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners will:
• Recognize Stony Point Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary;
• Consider a request from Emergency Communications for approval of appropriating $8,014 of NC911 Funds for Statesville Police Public Safety Answering Point;
• Consider a request from the library for approval to accept a North Carolina Humanities – American Rescue Plan (ARP) Humanities Project Support Grant in the amount of $20,000 to digitize 487 reels of microfilm;
• Consider a request from ICATS for approval of a multi-jurisdictional and agency Memorandum of Understanding for a 5307-formula update;
• Consider a request from ICATS for approval to call for a public hearing on Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in regard to Transportation Grants for Fiscal Year 2023;
• Consider a request from Solid Waste for approval to use budgeted overtime funds to hire an additional full-time Equipment Operator/Driver;
• Consider a request from Solid Waste for approval of a lease for the 901 Convenience Center Site;
• Consider a request from the Health Department for approval of expending $115,000 from the Division of Public Health, Agreement Addendum 361 Reopening Schools – School Health Liaison;
• Consider a request from the Health Department for approval of budget amendment to accept and expend a $39,900 Budget Revision for the Division of Public Health Agreement Addendum 466 – Advancing Equity Grant;
• Consider approving a Resolution of the Memorandum of Agreement between the State of N.C. and local governments on proceeds relating to the settlement of opioid litigation; and
• Hear an update on the Iredell County Transportation Master Plan.