Minutes - 19770125 - Laserfiche WebLink

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sz He added that according to General Statutes, Orange County would be entitled to 35 percent of any fund balance within the District Health Department. The County Manager stated that he had talked with sevezal counties who had withdrew from the district arrangement. Their reason for with- drawing was the lack of a response from the district board. Financially, the counties felt that the split had not cost any extra dollars. Dr. Fuller informed the Board of a meeting scheduled for February 2, 1977, at 8:00 p.m., at the Pines in Chapel Hill. This meeting is with the District Health Board. The Chairman stated that the Board was now ready to explore con- ditions for Orange Gounty to remain within the district. He stated that his concerns were: (1) The inability to evaluate the health needs and budget needs for the County of Orange. (2) The structure of the District Health Board, the lack of Board meetings, and the lack of Advisory Boards to meet the health needs in the County. He apoke that there was a need for an active viable District Board. (3) He spoke of his experience on the Health Task Force, which indicated insufficient efforts to search out the health needs of the County. He stated if Orange County stayed in the District, these needs should be met. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he felt the District Health Board failed to see its role as a active viable planning agency, which is responsibe to the changing character of the delivery of health cane. He added that citizens should have na input in identifying health pro- blems. The staff of the Orange County Health Department has had diffi- culty in contacting the District Board of Health to develops their own ideas. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that Orange County must be assured it has a responsibe District Bord. Responsive to the concerns of the staff, the governing body, and the citizens of Orange County. Commissioner Pinney stated if Orange County stayed in the district, all Counties would be required to allocate more monies to the District Health to pay for the changes and additions recommended. He added that the other counties should recognize that Orange County could withdraw at any time from the district, if these recommendations were not instituted. Commissioner Willhoit stated that the composition of the District Board should provide equitable district-wide representation. He added if Orange County is providing 35 percent of funding, he felt Orange County could expect 35 percent representation on the Board. He spoke of the salaries which were at the botton of the scale. Mr. Willhoit stated that the fund balance within the Health: Depart- ment's budget was not a measure of effectiveness, and that a primary concern of his was a working relationship between the School of Medicine ,• School of Public Health and the Health Department. He added that Orange Chatham Comprehensive Health Services had not been utilized effectively. Mr. Willhoit reminded the Board that at one time an engineer had been employed by the Health Department and he felt there was a need for the hiring of another engineer. Commissioner Walker stated that the District Hoard of Health was moving to correct some of the concerns which the Commissioners had expressed and hoped Orange County would stay in the District. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that some of the members of the Board of Commissioners had serious concern about withdrawing from the District and were trying to take a serious look at the consequences for the other remaining counties. He added that the Board would look for possible options and alternatives from withdrawing from the district. xe stated that if withdrawing looked as if it would create a real dis- aster in some of the smaller counties, he certainly would want to look at another option, other than a single county district. He suggested further that some of the Commissioners from the other counties respond concerning their estimates of health needs of their county.