The Hopkins County Fiscal Court has given the green light to the 2026 fiscal year budget and maintained the current health department tax rate, following an update on local services and community health concerns at Tuesday’s meeting.
Health Director Denise Beach said the department plans to keep the tax rate at 3.9 percent per $100 of assessed value, thanks in part to some helpful grants. She added that their main duties remain the same, including environmental oversight and inspections of restaurants, pools, nuisances, sewer and septic systems, mobile home parks, and rabies prevention.
Beach highlighted the health department’s work in 2025, noting the number of services provided, home visits completed, and the collection of nearly 28,000 used syringes.
click to download audioShe noted that Hepatitis C remains a significant concern within the county.
She also outlined the department’s educational programs and noted that they provide testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
click to download audioThe health department also administers all recommended and required immunizations, including measles vaccinations, which Beach pointed out is starting to fall below herd immunity levels in the state.
click to download audioBeach emphasized that this is a very serious issue and expressed concern that many people are relying on social media and their own research for immunization information.
click to download audioShe also highlighted tuberculosis services and local initiatives like school health programs, which are once again receiving strong support from legislators and the community, following a period when many areas had moved away from offering them.
After her update, Beach shared that she has served as director for 13 years without raising the tax rate and hopes this practice will continue after she retires. The fiscal court then unanimously approved the proposed tax rate.
In other action, magistrates approved the $65.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026 and a pay application of $917,088 to Downey Construction related to the construction of the new Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
