The Logan County Health District Board of Health met Wednesday, Feb. 11, approving routine business items while receiving updates on environmental health matters, infectious disease trends, harm-reduction efforts and the district’s anticipated 2027 operating budget.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda before hearing an environmental health report that included an update on a long-standing nuisance property in the Lakeview area. Health officials said the case has been filed in Bellefontaine Municipal Court and remains pending.
Officials also reported that the Ohio Department of Health recently completed a required food service program survey. According to the survey findings, the Logan County Health District is meeting minimum acceptable standards under state law and remains approved as a licensing authority. Minor corrective actions identified during the review were completed following the survey.
Staff epidemiologist Alexis Harman presented the annual infectious disease report for 2025. Key figures reviewed by the board included:
• Total reportable cases (2025): 484
• COVID-19: 235 cases; 47 hospitalizations; 1 death
• Influenza & RSV: 80 flu hospitalizations; one RSV-related death reported
• STIs: 105 total cases (78 chlamydia, 18 gonorrhea, 8 syphilis)
• Hepatitis C: 8 cases, down from 15 in 2024
Board members requested that additional vaccination data for vaccine-preventable diseases be included in future reports.
Nursing staff reported steady activity in January, including childhood vaccinations and routine clinic services.
Health officials also reviewed harm-reduction data, reporting that 37 Narcan kits were distributed in January, with two reported overdose reversals. In total, 807 Narcan kits were distributed in 2025 — an increase of nearly 200 kits from the previous year.
The district’s harm-reduction vending machine continued to see regular use, distributing naloxone, safe-use supplies, condoms, hygiene kits and sharps containers. Officials noted that many users access multiple services during each visit.
The board approved the district’s anticipated 2027 operating budget, which mirrors the 2026 budget due to uncertainty surrounding future revenues and expenses. Officials explained that most grant reimbursements are tied to payroll expenses that are initially paid from the district health fund and later reimbursed through grant accounts.
The board also acknowledged the resignation of a health educator position and agreed not to backfill the role at this time, citing staffing adjustments and budget considerations.
“We did have a resignation… it’s one of our health educators… we’re not going to backfill this position… we were anticipating a deficit budget, but now we’re down like five people, and most of our expenses are salary, so we might balance out.,” Health Commissioner Travis Irvan said.
Board members agreed to establish an in-house standard operating procedure to handle legally required public notices. Under the procedure, required notices will be posted on the health district’s website and through approved legal-notice outlets when print notices are required.
During the discussion, T.J. Hubbard, owner of the Bellefontaine Examiner, offered to post Logan County Health District notices free of charge on examiner.org, the Examiner’s digital news platform, to help ensure public visibility. Hubbard also suggested that notices be shared with local radio outlet, WPKO/WBLL, as an additional means of informing the public.
At the conclusion of the public portion of the meeting, board members entered executive session with assistant Logan County prosecutor Breanne Parcels to discuss what Board President Grant Varian described as “communication and litigation” matters related to a Logan County business whose license the board voted 4–0 to revoke at its Dec. 17 meeting.
In other business:
• Health officials reported learning of a food operator in the Indian Lake area operating under a state cottage food exemption that allows limited meal service without a license. While compliant with state law, officials said the operation will continue to be monitored, particularly during high-traffic holiday periods.
• The board also recognized Alexis Harman as Employee of the Quarter for her flexibility and contributions amid recent staffing changes.
The next health district board meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 11.
