mgreier@salemnews.net
SALEM — City health officials expressed concern, sadness and frustration Wednesday over a state budget bill provision that could potentially shut down the city health district.
Nothing is approved yet, with the Ohio House set to vote on House Bill 110, which if passed would then go to the Ohio Senate and eventually hit the governor’s desk for his signature.
City Health Commissioner Alanna Stainbrook said she first learned about HB 110 and what it could mean for the city health department last week during a meeting of the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners.
A provision called for abolishment of boards of health in cities with a less than 50,000 population, which would include Salem, East Liverpool, Warren, Alliance and about 16 other city health districts across the state. In other words, the city health department would cease to exist and its duties would be assumed by the Columbiana County General Health District, located in Lisbon.