Bancroft County, Iowa

Public Health Board of Trustees

Meeting of March 20, 2025

Bancroft County, Iowa · Open to the public

Agenda

1. Call to order and roll call
2. Approval of minutes from February 20, 2025
3. Financial report
4. Communicable disease update
5. State rural mental health provider report
6. Adjournment

Minutes

The Bancroft County Public Health Board of Trustees met at 5:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Community Services Building, Adams Junction. Chair Rao called the meeting to order.

Present: Trustees Rao, Kellerman, Benitez, Hoyt, and Mehta. Also present: Public Health Director Dr. Lena Foss and Community Health Nurse Supervisor Karen Whitfield, RN.

Motion by Mehta, seconded by Kellerman, to approve the February 20, 2025 minutes. Carried 5–0.

Director Foss provided a communicable disease update with no reportable outbreaks in county facilities.

Foss summarized a new state report showing Iowa has roughly 25 psychiatrists per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 40, with the shortage most severe in rural counties like Bancroft. Foss noted the county currently has no resident psychiatrist and relies entirely on a regional Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) region for referrals. The Board asked Foss to bring options for local response to a future meeting.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.. Next meeting: as scheduled.

_________________________
Dr. Anita Rao, Chair
Attest: Lena Foss, Public Health Director

Minutes approved as presented at the following regular meeting. Fictional demonstration record.