By Elizabeth Meyer
The Des Moines County Public Health Department needs a new home, and funds from the federal government could make that goal possible.
The building at 522 N. Third St. in Burlington is more than 90 years old and unable to meet the demands of a 21st-century public health department, particularly during a global pandemic.
“COVID-19 has really highlighted some of the things that this building does not meet the needs for,” said Public Health Director Christa Poggemiller, noting the limited parking spaces and positioning of the building on a steep hill, which makes it difficult for people with limited mobility to access.
“Our front lobby area,” Poggemiller continued, “with COVID-19 mitigation strategies to maintain a six-foot distance, if we do that in our lobby area, I think at best we could probably get three people in there.”
Poggemiller and the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors hope to finance a new public health building by using a portion of the $7.5 million the county will receive from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA).
Supervisor Tom Broeker said half of the county’s allocation has been received. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, local governments will receive the remaining balance about 12 months after the first installment.
During a work session Tuesday afternoon, preliminary discussions were held on features of the future building. Board members agreed that a new public health department is needed and should qualify as an acceptable way to use the government’s ARPA funds.
“I’m dedicated to getting this done,” said supervisor Jim Cary. “It’s necessary.”
The county does not have a location in mind yet for the new facility and, at this point, is only workshopping the idea.
Poggemiller presented a “wish list” of features to the board, including an ADA-compliant public restroom, large waiting room, drive-through bay for vaccines, immunization clinic, environmental health office, and enough office space to comfortably accommodate the department’s five nurses and future hires, among other items.