Mower County can expect to lose $326,316 in funding this fiscal year and another $589,378 next year.

Presently, the county commissioners have asked department heads to look at worst-case scenarios and trim their individual departments' spending by 5, 10 and 20 percent.

They have imposed a special review of spending that requires the finance committee to examine non-budgeted purchases.

Each time the commissioners meet, they hold a short session of examining the state budget deficit and how it will impact the county.

Now, they are doing some serious "nit-picking" of all spending proposals that come their way.

It happened at Tuesday's meeting.

Margene Gunderson, community health services director, sought the commissioners' approval of the county's participation in the Southeast Minnesota Immunization Connection.

"SEMIC is a southeastern Minnesota project involving governmental and non-governmental partners in development of a regional immunization registry," Gunderson told the commissioners.

The partners include 10 counties and regional hospitals and clinics in southeastern Minnesota.

The questions started at the point Gunderson told how counties would contract with SEMIC and be represented on an advisory board of the 501c-3 non-profit corporation.

"Would the county have any money involvement?" Commissioner Richard P. Cummings, 1st District, wanted to know.

"Is the anticipated funding from the Minnesota Department of Health secure given the state's budget deficit?" Commissioner David Hillier, 3rd District, wanted to know.

"Are there other counties already on board supporting this idea?" asked Commissioner Ray Tucker, 2nd District.

"I'm not looking for another meeting to attend," Cummings said.

Gunderson fielded all of the commissioners' queries and countered any concerns with words of assurance.

The only outlay of county money will be minimal, Gunderson said. Federal funds, grants and registry fees will take care of funding.

A 20-member advisory board may be trimmed to 12 members, five counties have already signed on to participate and the MDH's share is untouched by unallotment.

Satisfied Gunderson had a good idea and the county's role would be limited, Cummings made the motion to approve participating in the immunization registry and Tucker seconded it. All five commissioners voted "Aye."

"I think it's a good idea," Tucker said afterwards. "It's good to track that immunization information."

In other action Tuesday, the county commissioners:

n Agreed to consider a new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Policy for enactment later this month.

n Heard Gunderson update them on the public health preparedness plan.

n Heard Gunderson warn them if Gov. Tim Pawlenty is successful in using the interest earned on the tobacco endowment funds to help reduce the state's deficit it could impeded progress made in curbing teen smoking.

n Heard Gunderson remind all that the Women Infant Children program is "alive and well" in Mower County and open for mothers and their children.

n Efforts continue to write the new 2004-2005 Community Health Services plan, which must, Gunderson said, take into account the ongoing budget crunch and economic recession.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com