With overcrowding in the prosecutor’s office for a number of years, the Marshall County Commissioners made the recommendation to the County Council to relocate the Health Department.
Prosecutor Nelson Chipman told council members they are using every inch available in the office and explained the need to expand their square footage by detailing the increase in the number of employees working in the office. Twenty-three years ago when the prosecutor’s office moved from the Sheriff’s Department to the new County Building there were 7 offices and 3 entrances into the office space and now we have 5 offices and 2 entrances. Chipman said, “There were 3 part time prosecutors, there’s now 4 full time prosecutors. There were 2 in Child Support and now there’s 3 full-time and 2 part-time along with 4 full-time staff and 1 part-time and now we have 6 full-time and 1 part-time. We now have Victim’s Assistance in our office too.” The prosecutor said they have 1 interview room where they also make copies and 1 library which also serves as the intern’s work station, and the part-time clerical’s work station and the shredder room with temporary file storage and serves as our lunch room along with being the deposition room.
The prosecutor’s office has 9 cubicles and 1 reception area along with 1 file room, 1 kitchenette and they’ve commandeered two offices from the probation department for nothing but files. Chipman noted that they rent one of the largest storage bins available locally for file storage.
The commissioner’s recommendation is to move the County Health Department to the Community Resource Center.
Wes Burden, Director of the County Health Department brought forth several concerns about the move. The health department is required to have a generator since there are times when they have vaccines valued at over $50,000. A new generator will be required and the county will have to send someone to test is on a regular basis. He also noted that the refrigeration units are large and will cost $900 to relocate and calibrate them once moved.
Other issues include technology. Currently on the county’s servers, the move may require new servers and additional licenses which are $7,000 each. Burden said the environmental portion of the health department works with building and zoning department on a regular basis. He was concerned how that would work in separate locations. He also said he’s heard parking can be an issue….to wit the council said there is the same issue here.
Commissioner Kurt Garner said the cost to relocate is about $2,000 a month and the county would be responsible for the buildout costs of up to $120,000, noting that the office will be designed to meet HIPA regulations.
The Marshall County Council learned that funds are available to make the move after Umbaugh’s long term financial report. The County Council gave unanimous approval Monday night to move forward with the relocation.
