Commissioners receive update on immunizations

Tricia McPhie, director at Hot Springs County Public Health, gave a report on immunizations in the county to the Hot Springs County Commissioners last week, showing that we are doing a great job getting our children immunized in the county.

“We do a really good job,” McPhie said. “We continue to raise our numbers with immunizations and it gives us an opportunity to tell families about programs we have to offer that they may not know about.”

Hot Springs County ranks first in the state in eight of the 10 immunizations required between 19 and 35 months. Between 82 and 94 percent of our children are fully immunized, with the exception of Hepatitis A, where just 66 percent have had both of their needed shots.

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Public Health is already planning their annual flu clinic.

McPhie said it will look a bit different because of the pandemic, but they are working out the details and have even increased the number of vaccines they normally order because they believe more people will be getting the shot this year.

They are partnering with the hospital to do a drive through screening for large businesses for COVID, too. That would mean schools, trucking companies that have drivers traveling out of state, and other large businesses would be able to get all their employees tested quickly.

And speaking of quickly, McPhie said they are waiting on a newer version of the quick test machine that is supposed to work more accurately than those that are being used now.

Hot Springs County Planner, Bo Bowman, told the commissioners there will be a public hearing on Aug. 19 to take comments regarding the newly revised land use plan for the county.

So far, Bowman said he has not had any written comments come to his office and reminds locals the plan is available in his office, the library and on the county’s website for those who would like to go through it before the public meeting.

The commissioners approved mill levies for tax year 2020 as presented by County Assessor, Dan Webber.

County-wide special district levies amount to 7.8 mills or $1,218,048. For special purpose district levies, there will be 15 mills totaling $466,356 for a total assessed mill levy of $1,684,404.

Irrigation district levies are determined on a per-acre basis and will amount to $184,446.62 for the year.

The total number of mills for the state and county assessment breaks down to 31.8 mills, 12 of which are state mills (State School Foundation Fund). The county has a maximum 12 mills for the coming year and countywide special districts cover the remaining 7.8 mills.