By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The Cattaraugus County Health Department’s proposed $8.3 million budget for 2027 has been presented to the county budget officer.
Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins said the budget represents a 33% decrease from the 2026 budget of $12.6 million, primarily from the discontinuation of the home care program.
The $6 million in revenue projected in 2027 is a 42% decrease from the $10.3 million in revenue projected to be received in 2026.
The health department is projecting the program will cost the county $2.3 million in 2027.
The home care program began refusing any new patients and transferring others to the Visiting Nurse Association owned by Kaleida Health during the past year. The patient census went from over 200 patients earlier this year to three as of Wednesday.
Home care is prescribed by physicians when patients leave the hospital or require regular medical attention by a nurse.
The care can be for a few days or weeks, or for longer terms in some cases. It is designed to keep people from being readmitted to a hospital or admitted to a nursing home.
Speaking to members of the Board of Health Wednesday, Watkins also urged residents to get an influenza vaccination in anticipation of flu season.
The health department began its annual influenza vaccine clinics Sept. 28 in Limestone. They have since held clinics in Franklinville, St. Bonaventure and Cattaraugus. Covid 19 vaccine is also available.
The remaining influenza vaccine clinics are:
Thursday Oct. 8 — Randolph Town Hall (Municipal Bldg), 2-6 p.m.
Tuesday Oct. 13 — Olean at John Ash Community Center Breakfast Room, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15 — Cattaraugus County Health Department — Salamanca Clinic, 69 Iroquois Drive, 2-6 p.m.
Tuesday Oct. 20 — Little Valley American Legion, 2-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 — JCC College Student Union, 260 N. Union St., Olean, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22 — Ellicottville American Legion, 2-6 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26 — South Dayton Free Methodist Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Watkins said last year that 16,246 residents received an influenza vaccination, or about 21% of the county’s population.
On another topic, Watkins noted that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and urged women and men to check themselves frequently for breast abnormalities. Be aware of any breast lump or thickening of breast tissue.
The American Cancer Society says nearly 400,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 42,000 will die from breast cancer, Watkins said.
In addition, 2,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 530 will die.
Alcohol, obesity, a lack of exercise and smoking are risk factors in breast cancer, he said.
Environmental health director Robert Ring said the health department’s September rabies vaccination clinics saw 772 dogs, cats and ferrets. That included 501 dogs, 265 cats and 6 ferrets. In 2025 there were 773 animals vaccinated in September and 780 in 2024.
The board voted to accept the resignation of Shane Pancio of Olean as a member of the Board of Health. He served from February 2024 untilSept. 9.
Watkins said a member of the community has expressed interest in serving on the board and he would email that information to board members. The appointment is made by the county legislature.
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