One Halifax County financial issue that is yet to be resolved is $6 million in excess health department revenues that went into the county’s general fund.
The board has discussed the matter in closed session, County Attorney Glynn Rollins said, and Board Chairman Vernon Bryant said following Monday’s meeting that the matter will be addressed.
Questions about the status of the funds came after Health Director Cheyanna James addressed the board during the public comment section of Monday’s meeting. “I want to speak candidly about the challenges facing our health department and the potential consequences if you cannot address them proactively,” she said. “Public health is often most successful when people don’t notice it. When disease outbreaks are prevented, when children receive immunizations, when families have access to health education, when environmental hazards are mitigated, and when emergency repair is planned and works as intended, the public really sees the work behind the scenes.”
James said, however, “Maintaining these services requires resources, planning, and the ability to invest in innovation.”
She said one of her greatest concerns is the limitation on the department’s ability to retain and reinvest revenues that the department generates. “Innovation in public health requires flexibility. It requires the ability to pilot new programs, receive grant opportunities that require local investment, invest in technology, recruit and retain qualified staff, expand services, and respond quickly to emergent health challenges.”
Without the ability to reinvest in its operations, “We have been reactive rather than proactive. We have spent our time trying to maintain basic services instead of building programs that address the root cause of poor health outcomes and why they matter. The impact of these decisions extends far beyond the walls of our health department.”
When public health resources are restricted, James said there are higher rates of chronic disease, delayed preventive care, increased healthcare costs, and widening health disparities. “The residents who are most affected are those who often face great barriers to care.”
She is also concerned about the message these decisions are sending to her workforce. “Public health professionals dedicate themselves to serving this county every day. They deserve to work in an environment where their expertise is valued, where communication is open and transparent, and where there’s mutual respect among leadership, governing bodies, and departments. Respect and communication are not simply workplace values — they are essential components of effective governance. When communication breaks down, trust erodes. When departments are not included in conversations that directly impact their operations, opportunities for collaboration are lost.”
James told the board the best decisions are made when there is a meaningful dialogue, shared understanding, and a commitment to work toward common goals. “Our purpose tonight is not to criticize, but to advocate for our staff, our department, and, most importantly, for the residents in Halifax County.”
She asked the board to consider the long-term implications of its financial decisions and to allow public health resources to be reinvested into public health, “and to foster an environment where communication and mutual respect guide our work going forward. The health of our community depends on the decisions we make today. The question before us is not whether Halifax County can afford to invest in public health, but rather whether Halifax County can afford not to.”
