The Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades to the Health Department are done. The much-needed alterations included the relocation/removal of one wall, two doors and other modifications.

However, the cost of the work came in a little higher than expected, Health Director Shelly Schneider told the County Commission Monday morning. Commissioners approved covering the overage.

“We’ve made some drastic improvements for the nurses and for the vaccinations,” she said. “It has been wonderful for the Health Department and for the community.”

This has helped work flow for the staff, she said. And, it has improved access and reduced wait times for the public.

C&K Construction of Great Bend was awarded the contract Aug. 26, and project is now complete, Schneider said. The department secured $12,500 in grants for the project, but during the course of the remodel, additions were made to the scope of work.

A final invoice has been submitted for payment by C&K with an additional cost of $5,006.60. Schneider said she was able to piece together funds from the myriad Kansas Department of Health and Environment grants her office receives each year to cover all but $3,136 of that, and there is room in her budget to cover the balance.   

Commissioners said they saw the value in the remodeling. And, Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said they appreciated her effort to find ways to pay for it.