Four Corners Health Department building renovation continues, extra funding will help finish project

​YORK – It was 2017 when Laura McDougall, executive director of the Four Corners Health Department, started applying for grants in order to secure enough money to finance a much-needed renovation project at the Four Corners main office in York.

​This office building once housed the York Medical Clinic and was badly in need of repair. The heating and air system needed a complete overhaul as it didn’t even work in most areas of the building. No renovation work had been there for decades.
A grant was received and the county has participated by being a pass-through entity for Four Corners to receive these funds. The original grant was for $355,000. As the project began, however, it was realized how much more expensive the building materials were than had been previously expected. There were also surprises along the way – like a major infestation of termites and the collapse of the sanitary sewer on the south side of the building.
“There were a lot of factors for the increases in costs,” she said.
The good news is that the Nebraska Department of Economic Development contacted Four Corners around Thanksgiving, saying they had some extra funds leftover from other projects and Four Corners was invited to send a proposal. That took place – and as McDougall explained to the York County Commissioners this past week, more money will be granted with the total grant amount now going up to $750,000.
In order for that money to be received and pass through the county, the commissioners had to hold a public hearing this past week – which they did.
“We have seen great progress with our renovation, as Phase 1 is completed and the second phase is underway,” McDougall said. “So the south wing is finished and they have gutted out the center and it’s all been full of termites.”
Getting rid of the termites and fixing the problems they left behind has been an ongoing challenge but successfully achieved.
“Initially, we had to do some cutting as the prices of everything came in higher,” McDougall said. “Then we got that call from NDED and these extra funds will help us do things we would have had to dip into our reserves to pay for. This will give us what we need to finish the front ramp with new materials, more furnaces and to be able to pay for some bathroom remodel expenses. We will also be able to more as far as the repair of the termite damage, replace some old lights and windows which we weren’t able to do before. All of this should be done by fall. And if the money stretches far enough, we might buy some paint and replace some old 1960s carpet.”
“This is a good project which will greatly extend the usage of that building for many years,” said Commissioner Randy Obermier.
“It should help that building last for many more years,” McDougall agreed.
She also thanked the county for agreeing to be a part of the process.
“Well, this is a four-county health department and selfishly, it’s good to have the main office in York County,” Obermier responded.
In other business, McDougall asked the county board to approve the reappointment of Dr. Jillian Fickenscher to the Four Corners Board of Directors, as the doctor on the board.
She explained how the board is made up – it is comprised of county board representatives from each of the four counties, a doctor, a dentist and a “spirited member” of the public from each participating county. All four of the counties have to approve the doctor and dentist appointments.
The board agreed to reappoint Dr. Fickenscher.
Obermier also invited McDougall to talk about the possibility of state funding for health departments being cut. She explained how as proposed legislation stands right now, if it would pass, it would result in a $207,000 cut in funding for the Four Corners Health Department.
“That would definitely impact our programming and services,” McDougall said. “If that happens, we will have to look at how to sustain our services with less. If anyone is interested in helping us, by writing letters to the appropriations committee, please talk to me as that would be appreciated.”