Washington County Board of Health talks need for new home

WASHINGTON — With Federation Bank planning to move to the former U.S. Bank building in early 2022, the clock is ticking on Washington County Public Health to find a new home.

Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski brought up the issue during Thursday’s Board of Health meeting.

“I don’t think we can sit on this,” Pettit-Majewski said. “We need to find a long-term home.”

Public Health currently rents space on the third and fifth floors of the Federation Bank building at 110 N. Iowa Ave. in Washington.

In May, Federation Bank announced its plan to purchase and renovate the former U.S. Bank building at 300 S. Iowa Ave., a projected expected to take about a year. After that, the bank plans to sell its current building.

“They only have to give us a 60-day notice,” Pettit-Majewski said.

The bank has had past negotiations with Washington County regarding the county purchasing the building.

However, the two sides could not reach an agreement for the county to purchase the building.

Supervisor Jack Seward Jr., who sits on the Board of Health, said that the county has put together a committee to look at space needs for all county departments.

Members of that committee are Supervisor Marcus Fedler, Auditor Dan Widmer, County Attorney John Gish and County Engineer Jacob Thorius.

“Hopefully, the committee gets going on things,” board member Dr. Chris Grier said. “Not having a place in March would be a big problem.”

Pettit-Majewski noted that the county will receive more than $4 million in federal American Rescue Act funds.

“I spoke to (State Auditor) Rob Sand, and he said that public health infrastructure would be an allowable expense,” she said.