11 years after moving to Asotin, the Asotin County Health District is moving back to Clarkston. Budget cuts forced a downsize in staff from 13 to 5, so they downsized the office as well. A press release from the Health District says recent changes to state legislation secured the budget for more staff, updated infrastructre, and new programs to address local needs.
District Administrator Brady Woodbury says “There are changes happening at the state and federal levels that have reduced public health funding and we are keeping a close eye on those and how we are impacted at a local level, but our plan is to hire a couple of staff members in the next year or so. Although we won’t be back up to thirteen staff, this is moving us in the direction to expand our work.”
The new location is 719 5th Street in Clarkston. They bought it last year and started renovations this year. The release says the building needed significant interior renovations to turn the former warehouse space into office space and the lengthy process depended on funding from three budget cycles. City of Asotin, City of Clarkston, and Asotin County combined contribute about $50,000 per year to ACHD. Washington RCW says that local government is required to contribute to local public health but does not specify how much. The rest of their operating budget comes from state and federal grants which specify how and when funds can be spent.
“Moving back to Clarkston and into a larger building is a critical step in being able to better serve the community,” said Woodbury. “We have been working on making this move for several years, ever since the state legislation changes made it possible to even consider being able to move back.” ACHD expects to relocate to the new building in early August.
There’s an open house, to which you are invited, on August 12th from 4pm-7pm and August 13th from 10am-3pm. During these times you can meet ACHD staff, learn about existing
programs, and see the new building. The local health officer, Dr. Bob Lutz, will be at the
Open House on August 12th to meet with community members.
