The Marshall County Council members considered action on a Crisis Co Ag Supplemental Workforce in School grant request when they met Monday morning.
Marshall County Health Administrator Faith Freed previously explained that the grant would employ a person to work with the schools on COVID-19 numbers, testing, vaccines and report back to the state – the same tasks that are currently being done now with grant funding available.
It is a federal pass-through grant coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Freed and Public Health Nurse Sandy Dunfee explained that testing and vaccinations are offered to students with parental consent, but they are not forced to anyone.
Several residents appeared before the Marshall County Council to voice their support or dissention concerning the grant. Those in favor of the grant support the Marshall County Health Department in their efforts to ensure the health and safety of the Marshall County Community and to get the help they need toward that effort in the schools. Those against the grant stated that they do not want the federal government to have control of local choice and parent choice.
Newly-appointed Council President Mandy Campbell had several questions about school quarantines and protocols, and Tim Harman had questions about the terms and conditions of the grant.
It was noted by Council member Jesse Bohannon in an earlier meeting that a provision in the grant states that the entity getting the grant would need to “comply with future directives of the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the spread of COVID-19.”
Commissioner Stan Klotz, who initially voted in favor of the grant request, told the council he did not support it after considering the directives statement in the grant.
Instead of the grant money, Councilman Jim Masterson and Councilman Jesse Bohannan asked if the money would come from the Rainy Day Fund out of the county’s budget would it address the same needs, but circumvent the “strings attached” of the grant. Public Health Officer Dr. Byron Holm stated that the county would still need to adhere to CDC guidelines.
Bohannon said he would support that to benefit residents of Marshall County. He asked if a local plan could be devised and presented for funding, rather than going through the grant.
Councilman Jon VanVactor said this is the first time that something that has been mandated has potential funding and supported it. He made a motion to allow the Marshall County Health Department to apply for the grant and Councilman Jim Masterson seconded the motion. In the end, the council voted to deny the grant request with Heath Thornton, Tim Harman, Mandy Campbell, Jesse Bohannon, and Steve Harper voting no, and Jon VanVactor and Jim Masterson voting yes.
