Putnam Commission Purchases Land For Future Health Department Growth

Putnam County Commission approved the purchase of additional land next to the Health Department for future expansion.

Mayor Randy Porter said this comes as a separate need to the recent addition at the facility. He said the county has to plan for issues with future growth and the need for additional parking.

“At some point the next part that will have to happen out there to be able to keep this building for many years to come,” Porter said. “Some years down the road the health department’s probably going to need where elections is at. And elections is probably going to need a new building.”

Porter said the two tracts purchased will accommodate both additional parking and a new building for the election commission. He said the state had allotted some $258,000 to help with the purchase of the lands.

The county commission approved the purchase of the lands using money from the county’s remaining ARP funds. The cost for both tracts totaled some $292,000.

“State health, I have gone to them quite a bit since January 2022, and they have been very good to give the county I think $1.4 million just for capital projects and building projects in the health department for the facility,” Health Department Director Lisa Bumbalough said. “(…) They’re currently expanding our pharmacy right now paying for hta because we’ve outgrown that pharmacy with all the new drugs with COVID vaccines and immunizations that are evolving. We’re outgrowing the facility and you’ve helped us with that, with that expansion, but I fear if we do not address this parking issue we’re going to be in some problems where we won’t have a place for folks to park.”