NORTH LOGAN—City Council members had their annual report from Bear River Health Department and the annual fiscal audit Wednesday.

Bear River Health representative Jill Parker was there to address the council on changes and improvements the health department has made in the past year. Parker talked about “spice” and how Utah was one of the first states to address the issue of the substance.

“Now, since there has been such a debate over the synthetic marijuana, five of the ingredients used to make the substance have been put on the illegal substance list,” said Parker.

One of the programs the health department has strengthened this past year is WIC (Women, infants and children), a supplemental food program. The health department has purchased bags filled with things to help out new moms to give out in hospitals after delivery.

In the annual report WIC Director Bonnie Farmer said, “It’s a good way for us to promote our WIC services as well as immunizations.”

Overall the health department had a good year and was making good progress, Parker said.

Financial auditor Dianna Cannel from Peterson, Allred, Jackson CPA addressed the council about their budget and spending. “You guys have made some big changes in the past year,” said Cannel.

Cannel said all the changes were good ones. She told the council that overall their debt was going down because they were making principal payments. Also government expenses and revenues went down $447,000 because taxes decreased and charges for services decreased.

Cannel agreed that the council’s financial report was good in all areas but one. The sewer system they implemented a few years ago is starting to put them in the hole. In order to have the sewer system in North Logan start paying for itself, the council agreed that they will have to start raising sewer system fees.

“I am really impressed with North Logan. You met your financial goal and are doing everything you are supposed to,” said Cannel.

Published in cooperation with the Hard News Cafe. Original story is here.