LISBON — Rats, cyber security requirements and fee increases related to burial permits and reissuance of birth and death certificates topped the topics during a recent Columbiana County Health District Board meeting.

County Health Commissioner Wes Vins gave board members a heads up about the law which become effective Sept. 30 for political subdivision cybersecurity which requires adoption of a cybersecurity program based on the entity’s needs.

According to an explanation of the requirements sent to the health district from the state auditor’s office, the bill allows payment of a ransom in a ransomware attack only if the local legislative authority adopts a resolution explaining to the public why they think paying the ransom is the best solution.

The areas to be considered in forming a policy include: identifying critical functions and risks, setting up threat-detection systems, creating response procedures, planning for recovery and ongoing security and establishing security training requirements for all employees based on their job duties, according to the state auditor’s office.

At this moment, Vins said the health district is not compliant with all the requirements which are mandatory.

“The cost will be significant to come into compliance. Apparently, there is no funding,” Vins said, referring to no funding from the state to meet the mandate.

Board member Misti Allison asked if they had to be compliant by Jan. 1, saying she knew of some other entities who had more time.

Board President Gary Dailey asked Vins to speak with state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-New Waterford, about the situation.

Regarding rats, Environmental Director Laura Fauss showed board members an infographic she created regarding how to deal with rat colonies, with a focus on three categories to reduce their population: food, water and shelter. Fauss said the department had received a call about a rat issue in the southern end of the county.

She suggested placing trash in covered metal or heavy-duty plastic containers, removing uneaten pet foods and not leaving the food out overnight, picking up pet feces daily, removing bird/squirrel feeders, cleaning up food spills and storing food in rat-resistant containers. She said to avoid storing food in basements, keep outdoor cooking areas and grills clean, pick up fallen tree fruit or vegetables and rodent-proof composting bins.

Under the water category, she said to fix plumbing leaks, empty bird baths and don’t leave pet water bowls out overnight and remove items that can hold stagnant water. Under the shelter category, she said to keep a house neat and clean and free of clutter, clean up brush and weeds, keep grass and shrubbery well-trimmed, move woodpiles one foot off the ground and seal any holes found around homes or buildings to stop rodents from entering.

Fauss briefly talked about the recent drought and how it can affect residents with wells.

Health Services Adminstrator Amanda Amato reported a good turnout for the final skin cancer screening of the year, with 17 people and 11 of those people new. She said information on flu vaccine will be coming soon. She had not received any guidelines yet regarding the COVID vaccine.

The health board approved an increase to the burial permit fee from $3 to $10 to match the state increase to the fee. Vins said the county’s portion of the fee remains just 50 cents.

The board also established a $10 fee for reissuance of birth and death certificates to help cover the county’s costs. The fee is in addition to the $27 fee charged for a birth or death certificate. Of that $27, the state gets $13.50. Vins said they may need to look at that fee.

The board approved an increase in the TB test fee from $15 to $20 to cover the department’s costs, noting an increase in the cost of TB testing supplies.

In other business, Fauss gave an update on a Pancake Clarkson Road property septic system nuisance issue, saying the Environmental Protection Agency permit had not been secured, so the board order will be sent to the prosecutor. A board order was issued for a propert yon Bayard Road, Minerva owned by Garritt Brown of Hopedale for an accumulation of garbage. Variances were granted to Lisa Schaffhauser and Dan Stanley, both on properties on Bayview Drive, Beloit, regarding the setback distance for replacement septic systems.

The next health district board meeting will be 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15.