Unlike some of its counterparts across the state, the Richmond County Health Department appears to be in good shape heading into the next fiscal year, officials said Tuesday night. And for that, it can thank the Augusta Commission, said East Central Health District Director Ketty Gonzalez.

"They have been very supportive, and that is not happening across the board," she said.

Augusta is providing $1,223,230 to the department this year, with $9,200 more going to the board for mental health services, City Administrator Fred Russell said.

"We are blessed in many ways," said Dr. Gonzalez, who directs the 13-county district based in Augusta.

In the neighboring Northeast Health District, the Clarke County Health Department is going back to the county for an additional $280,000. The Jackson, Barrow, and Oglethorpe health departments also are seeking additional money.

But Richmond County is looking at about $1 million in the bank, in part because it has kept its costs down.

"My predecessors have been very careful in managing the dollars," said Dr. Gonzalez, who became district director in October. "They have done a wonderful job."

In fact, the Richmond County Board of Health approved a proposed $6.06 million budget Tuesday night that includes $250,000 more in salaries and hiring three more nurses.

Overall, the state Division of Public Health is feeling a pinch as drug prices climb and funding remains at the same level it was in 2001, pharmacy Director Kimberley Hazelwood said. The state buys some drugs for the counties, such as for family planning or treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. In one case, the price of a drug shot up $300 a bottle, an increase of 75 percent.

"That really impacts us a great deal," Dr. Hazelwood said. "(The counties) are definitely seeing the price increases at their level, too."

Staff Writer Sylvia Cooper and Morris News Service contributed to this report.