Commissioners vote down federal health grant

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- With the pandemic still far from over and an increase in burnout from nurses- like many industries - council members say they are looking at all sides of the issue ahead of tomorrow night’s vote.

The federal health grant was rejected by commissioners last week.

The three-million-dollar grant would go towards hiring eight new workers to do outreach in minority communities to help fight COVID-19 and other public health problems.

With fears of COVID-19 directives both federally and from the state - commissioners agreed it wasn’t worth the risk and decided to vote it down. Despite the vote, community members at a press conference held earlier today said commissioners made a crass decision.

While council members did not share their personal stances on the issue at Tuesday’s budget meeting --- they say they want members of the public to turn out Wednesday as they want to hear as many opinions on the topic before making their decision.

The council meets Wednesday night to vote on over-riding the vetoes.

County commissioners at Tuesday's meeting were not available for an interview.