A few weeks ago at Navasota City Council, the idea was floated out of potentially creating a Health District here in Grimes County. That came amid frustrations from county and city staff alike in the reporting of COVID-19 numbers from the state.
After meeting with Commissioner’s Court recently, City Manager Brad Stafford, speaking at the most recent city council meeting Monday night, said that city staff and the county have finally gotten on the same page with their approach.
“We feel it would be best, as a group, to look at the appointment of a county health authority,” said Stafford.
Stafford mentioned the county does already have a health authority, which is appointed by the state if your county does not have one.
He added that city staff did research on what other similar sized cities and counties, like Burleson County, have done.
“I think the appointment will be very helpful in times like this. In times when we need help in writing some of the annexes that are health related, and it costs a lot less money than us putting together a health department,” said Stafford.
Stafford mentioned as well there were conversations about adding a health inspector in the future.
“Maybe that is something we look at in our budget, for the city, in the coming years. They could be part of code enforcement, they could help out when they are not inspecting restaurants, schools and cafeteria’s, they can help us out with code enforcement,” Stafford said.
No word on a potential timeline yet for appointment of a Grimes County Health Authority.