Payroll issues could force closure of the Ford County Health Department in Paxton. The lack of available cash flow could lead to the facility closing by the end of May.

Public Health Administrator Lana Sample informed her Ford County Board this week that a lack of revenue from the state has the agency in a difficult financial position. Coming in to March, Sample said, the department had but $76,191 in cash. That won't be enough to keep the agency operating.

There's been no hiring to fill vacancies and there's been efforts to save costs, but unless state payments are on their way, services could be stopped.

Sample said the health department isn't due to get any property tax revenues until July. Unless more revenue is coming in, closing the office may be the only option.

The health board has talked about employee furloughs and borrowing from a bank or the county itself.

94.1 WGFA