01-27-2025 Meeting Minutes BOHMINUTES
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
PCHD CLASSROOM
January 27, 2025
A regular meeting of the Person County Board of Health was held in the Classroom of the Person County
Health Department. The following members constituting a quorum were present: Dr. Jeffrey Noblett,
Phillip Edelblute, Dr. Ben Tillett, Antoinetta Royster, Randy Eakes, Dr. Stephen Garrett, Dr. Christopher
Atkins, Ted Michie, Dr. Barbara Harris, and Patsy Clayton. Dr. Kenneth Strachan was absent. LeighAnn
Creson, Quality Assurance Specialist, Tabatha Philpott, Nursing Supervisor, Janet Clayton, Health
Director, Jennifer Melton, Administrative Officer, and Bonnie Holt, Environmental Health Supervisor,
were also present.
A. Call to Order
Dr. Jeffrey Noblett, Chairman of the Board of Health called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
B. Public Comment Period
A member of the public, Edward Bryan, attended the meeting but did not wish to be a speaker.
C. Welcome to Commissioner Antoinetta Royster
Dr. Jeffrey Noblett welcomed Commissioner Royster to the Board of Health.
D. Consent Agenda
A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Dr. Ben Tillett, seconded by Phillip
Edelblute, and the motion carried.
E. Financial Reports: November/December 2024
A motion to approve the financial reports was made by Phillip Edelblute, seconded by Dr.
Christopher Atkins, and the motion carried.
F. Budget Amendments
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) grant will fund the launch of the
American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking tobacco cessation program, which will be
provided for Person County Residents 18 and older. The funding will support participant
recruitment efforts such as newspaper ads, flyers, and social media posts. BCBSNC will also
provide program supplies such as tobacco quit kits and participant workbooks.
• Adult Health Grant – $3,000.00
o Funds will be allocated to advertising ($2,000.00), supplies ($800.00), and food
& provision ($200.00).
A motion to approve the budget amendment was made by Phillip Edelblute, seconded by Dr.
Christopher Atkins, and the motion carried.
G. Pharmacy Bid
Janet Clayton, Health Director, reported that a bid request for pharmacy services for Personal
Health services was mailed to all local pharmacies in December; only one bid was received.
Community Pharmacy-Roxboro submitted a bid proposal of $7.00 per prescription. A motion to
award the contract to Community Pharmacy-Roxboro was made by Ted Michie, seconded by
Phillip Edelblute, and the motion carried.
H. Strategic Plan
Janet Clayton reviewed the final draft of the Strategic Plan with the Board. The final draft includes
the suggestions from health department staff and Board of Health members that were provided
during the group Strategic Planning sessions. A motion to approve the Strategic Plan was made by
Randy Eakes, seconded by Dr. Ben Tillett, and the motion carried.
I. Staff Liaison Updates
• Personal Health
o On December 5th, the CD/STD required state consultant audit was completed and
passed.
o PCHD is partnering with PCC Nursing Program to allow students to come observe
Public Health operations.
• Environmental Health
o Currently, the new site evaluation application turn around time is eight weeks out on
applications due to weather.
o Several restaurants have experienced ownership changes recently.
J. Budget Subcommittee
Dr. Jeffrey Noblett asked for volunteers to serve on the Budget Subcommittee with him. Dr. Ben
Tillett and Randy Eakes agreed to serve.
K. Public Health Month Awards Committee
Dr. Jeffrey Noblett asked for volunteers to serve on the Public Health Month Awards Committee
with him. Patsy Clayton and Dr. Stephen Garrett agreed to serve.
L. Health Director’s Report
❖ Welcome Commissioner Royster! Commissioner Royster completed in person
orientation on Tuesday, January 21st.
❖ Budget-
o Personnel Budget- submitted 1/8.
o Technology Budget- submitted 1/3.
o Dawn and I have been meeting with MT members regarding programmatic budgets
in order to submit the operating budget by 2/7.
❖ Various Updates-
o Opioid Settlement Update= The next committee meeting is March 5th.
o The HIPAA Risk Assessment initial meeting was held on 12/2; a walk-through
inspection was conducted on 1/7/25; the interviews will be held 1/29.
o The County’s Longevity Awards Luncheon was held on 12/4. Five PCHD
employees were recognized:
• 5 Years- Carol Carr, Tabatha Philpott
• 10 Years- Debbie King
• 15 Years- Paola Stone
• 25 Years- Dawn Coleman
o The annual holiday dinner was held on Thursday, December 12th. Thank you to all
who were able to attend.
o Several staff participated in the Regional ARPA Leadership retreat on 12/13 in
Colfax.
o The Child Fatality Prevention Team changes were delayed for six months due to SL
2024-57.
o The AA coordinators met on 1/16 to continue to review the key points of each AA
and discuss how other programs may assist with the deliverables.
o I attended the annual strategic planning retreat of NCAPHA on 12/3-12/5. The joint
strategic plan was presented on 12/4.
o I completed the ANCBH Board orientation on 12/10.
o Giving Back-
• Staff also provided items to the Person County Veterans Council for the
annual holiday gift bags to the veterans who are in long term care facilities.
This was in recognition of Veterans Day. Several staff assisted the PC
Veterans Council with the distribution of the holiday gifts in December.
• Staff adopted two children from the Angel Tree and are worked together to
make their Christmas wishes come true.
o On December 20th and December 23rd, I provided an overview to the new county
commissioners as part of their orientation.
o On January 7th, Tabatha and I participated in the county’s “Winter Operations
Meeting/Training”.
o Dawn, Jennifer, and I participated in the county’s training session for “Staff Liaisons
on Advisory Boards, Committees, and Commissions to Ensure Best Practices” on
January 9th.
o I continue to participate in the monthly Region 5 meetings and the monthly
NCALHD meetings
❖ Personnel-
o Nutritionist II position has been reposted. An individual was offered the position and
declined. To assist with the workload, PCHD continues to contract with a staffing
agency that specializes in nutritionists.
o Public Health Nurse II Kimberlee Adcock resigned effective 1/10.
❖ Next meeting is Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
M. Board Member Remarks
Phillip Edelblute voiced concern with the possible appointment of Robert Kennedy to Director of
Health and Human Services and how this appointment could impact vaccines, programs, and
funding available. There was discussion among board members about the possible ramifications
of this appointment and other funding reductions.
Dr. Ben Tillett mentioned that NACCHO (National Association of County and City Health
Officials) and NALBOH (National Association of Local Boards of Health) are participating in
Hill Day on February 24-26, 2025. He welcomed other board members to participate with him in
this event as it gives the opportunity to share policy ideas and advocate for action.
Dr. Stephen Garrett asked if local Boards of Health in NC counties have helped Western NC
following Hurricane Helene. Janet Clayton reported that the NC Public Health Association has
started a fund that takes donations to assist the public health workforce members who were
impacted by the hurricane. Environmental Health specialists are still needed. Alan Gatrell from
PCHD Environmental Health assisted in Avery County in November. Local health directors are
kept updated on the progress of the affected counties.
Randy Eakes inquired about the warming center. Janet Clayton reported that Emergency
Management lead the initiative for the warming center and staffed the shelter using EMS staff as
well as volunteers.
N. Adjournment
Having no further business to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Randy Eakes, seconded
by Dr. Stephen Garrett, and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Clayton
Health Director/Secretary
Dr. Christopher Atkins, Board Vice-Chair