The recession has hit local businesses, city governments and school systems. Next on the list is the Fayette County Health Department.

Administrative Manager Merle Crowe told board members last week that the department faces a 19 percent funding cut. The funding situation in Fayette County mirrors that of other counties across the state.

Approximately 50 percent of local health department funding comes from patient fees, with 20-23 percent coming from multiple state grant-in-aid sources, another 20-23 percent from county support and 5-10 percent from the federal WIC (Woman, Infants and Children) program, said Crowe.

But in Fayette and across Georgia it is the grant-in-aid (GIA) portion of the budget that is taking the biggest hit from legislators.

Crowe noted that the local GIA funding for FY 2008 totaled $416,991. That amount was cut in the FY 2009 budget to $391,763 and was cut again recently by another $47,624, for a total of 19 percent, leaving a final department budget of $344,129.

Illustrating the larger picture, Crowe said Fayette County had increased in population by 22.6 percent growth during 2003-2007, while funding decreased 15.5 percent during the same period. Efforts made to offset budget reductions include no promotions or cost of living allowances.

Representing Fayette County Environmental Health, Manager Richard Fehr said his office will check with local, state or federal agencies, including the Georgia Department of Agriculture, to try to arrange for work that will generate additional funds.

Board member Lyn Redwood after the presentation suggested that those relying on health department services should call their legislators to advocate for increased funding.

Also speaking at the meeting and representing Fayette Senior Services, Debbie Britt spoke of funding cuts that impact a variety of local agencies and the challenge of each agency to work collaboratively with others to provide adequate care in times of funding shortfalls.

According to Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), combining state funding decreases from FY 2003 to FY 2007 with the rapid population growth Georgia experienced during this time has created a situation where Georgia’s per-capita general fund public health investment has fallen by 18 percent since FY 2003.

In FY 2003, the state spent $19.66 per Georgian in general fund public health expenditures. By FY 2007 this spending had fallen to $16.11 per Georgian.

While per-capita state general fund spending has dropped significantly, the state has seen an increase in per-capita federal funds from roughly $39 per Georgian to almost $46 per Georgian in 2007. This increase, said GBPI, is driven largely by increased WIC funding, which was responsible for nearly 70 percent of the increase.

Serving more than 280,000 participants, Georgia’s WIC program providing nutritional supplements, screening, counseling and education is the fifth largest in the nation.

From FY 2003 to FY 2007, per capita state funds (general funds and other funds) public health expenditures fell by 22.6 percent, from $22.86 to $17.68, according to GBPI. This translates to a net $18.1 million decrease in general fund expenditures from $171.8 million in FY 2003 to $153.7 million in FY 2007, and a $12.9 million reduction in other state funds, from $27.9 million in FY 2003 to $15 million in FY 2007.

Projected state revenue shortfalls in FY 2009 and beyond have caused DHR to propose up to $18 million in additional state funds cuts to public health programs, as well as cuts in federal funds.

The health status of Georgia’s citizens is worsening, according to GBPI. In 2008, Georgia fell from 40th to 41st in the United Health Foundation’s annual health rankings. Georgia ranks 47th in infectious disease, yet DHR budget reduction proposals include $2.1 million in cuts to the infectious disease program.

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