ALPENA — District Health Department No. 4 employees will see a 5% pay increase by the start of 2024.

The news was mentioned at the Health Department’s board meeting when board members voted to pass a new bargaining agreement. The board also voted to include vision and dental insurance to employee benefits.

Denise Bryan, administrative health officer at the Health Department, said that department leadership hopes the increase will help retain employees and also draw people in.

“We realized that our pay is not competitive enough with the other employers,” Bryan said. “It’s really exciting stuff.”

Health Department staff will also get a pay increase of 4% in 2025.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

The District Health Department No. 4 board on Tuesday also:

∫ voted to renovate the Health Department’s new Atlanta health facility to create more privacy for employees assisting in making appointments for patients. Because of the waiting lobby’s open structure, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-protected phone calls are left open for people to potentially hear. Renovations will include a diagonal wall with a screen door for employees to close when making phone calls. The Health Department will pay $8,500 for the material and permits while the building landlord will pay $3,500 for labor costs.

∫ voted to close all four of the Health Department’s offices on Dec. 8 for all-staff training.

∫ voted to change personal health and school wellness policies in line with state policy changes.

∫ voted to move the board’s meeting on Dec. 19 to the new Atlanta facility.