I hope that your summer is beginning well, that you’re healthy, and that you’ve found a gas station where gas is ( and will remain at ) $3.00 per gallon or less.
The Kentucky Legislature has just entered their special session to reform the retirement system used by state employees. Most legislators agree that the system needs fixing before it goes broke. Arguments may come up about whether or not the system should be fully funded every year, whether or not there should be a minimum retirement age, and whether or not a retired employee who goes back to work should be eligible for a second pension. Some reforms will definitely become law and by the time you read this, the system should be in better shape than it has been for some time. I’m curious to see what the unintended consequences of some of the reforms will be.
Because Governor Beshear’s budget as passed by the legislature is so spare, many agencies funded at least partially by state government are facing cuts in their annual allocations. The Bullitt County Health Department is no exception. You may have heard representatives of these agencies speak about having to reduce services. That is unfortunate but necessary in some cases. This agency, fully supported by our Board of Health, has resolved not to reduce services but rather to utilize some of the funds we hold in reserve for times just like this. We will continue to serve the citizens of Bullitt County without reduction in staff or services. We will continue to be the safety net provider of preventive health care services in this community.
Have a safe summer. And remember to watch out for the other guy.
Ned Fitzgibbons,
Public Health Director