The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is seeking a 3 percent increase in funding from its member communities in its 2018 preliminary general fund budget.

Department officials presented the preliminary budget this week at the annual meeting of the Lucas County District Advisory Council. The increase amounts to $96,881 more in intergovernmental revenue from the greater district advisory council, comprised of the county’s cities, villages, and townships, bringing the total to $3,326,247.

It is the first time the health department has asked the council for an increased contribution in eight years. Chairman Andy Glenn said he supports the funding increase because it is better to give the money now than risk having a shortfall and go back to the municipalities later in the year for more money.

“With the relationship we’ve built over the last 10 years with the health department, with the transparency and better numbers we’re getting, I just don’t want to see anything like that potentially happen,” said Mr. Glenn, who is also a Springfield Township trustee.

The health department has consistently lost money on the clinics it operates, prompting a transfer of $1.5 million from the 2017 general fund to the fund that covers the clinics.

Health Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski said the department has reformed its billing practices to recoup more money from insurance providers for the health care services it provides. He said he would provide quarterly updates to the council about the department’s funding outlook.

The county budget commission must approve the 2018 funding increase, which the district advisory council approved unanimously.

Council members did not make appointments to fill three vacant positions on the health board after several at the meeting said they did not have adequate materials or time to evaluate the candidates. The three vacancies to replace Dr. Vidya Ramanathan, Hans Schmalzried, and Matthew Hyerman are for positions representing the district advisory council.

The council has a special meeting May 3 to appoint new health board members.

In other business, the council re-elected Mr. Glenn as chairman for the coming year and Monclova Township Trustee Chuck Hoecherl as secretary, replacing Holland Mayor Mike Yunker.

Contact Lauren Lindstrom at llindstrom@theblade.com, 419-724-6154, or on Twitter @lelindstrom.

First Published March 11, 2017, 5:00 a.m.