By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With the big switch imminent, local leaders are bracing for a new public health department agency when 2014 gives way to 2015.
Early this year, officials with the Burlington-based Western Racine County Health Department announced the agency was disbanding Dec. 31. Member municipalities — including the villages of Waterford and Rochester — have since had to look into alternatives.
Aurora Healthcare has been operating WRCHD through a public-private arrangement.
After weighing all of the options, municipalities with Western Racine have decided to join the Central Racine County Health Department in Caledonia. Town of Waterford switched its public health provider to Central Racine several years ago.
Marge Schutte, who represents the Village of Waterford on the board overseeing Western Racine, provided an update on the transition process at a Village Board meeting Oct. 13.
Despite the imminent disbanding, Schutte said Western Racine has been active in member communities this fall, taking part in such efforts as distributing radon kits and getting the word out about potential hazards with e-cigarettes.
Schutte said Aurora has offered incentives to Western Racine employees to work through the organization’s final date, which is Dec. 31.
In Rochester, Trustee Chris Bennett provided an update on the winding down process when Rochester’s Village Board met the same night.
Bennett, who represents Rochester on the Western Racine board, said he has begun attending Central Racine board meetings as well.
“I think you will be pleased,” Bennett said to his elected colleagues. “They’re very well run.”
Bennett also put in a plug for Western Racine’s car seat program, which has been aimed at ensuring parents have the necessary tools to keep their children safe. The agency received the car seats through a grant.
At the moment, Bennett said Western Racine still has a surplus supply of the car seats available.
“They’re nice, name-brand car seats,” Bennett commented. “The only requirement is a nurse needs to install it.”
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