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64 MIDTUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARX 1, 1977 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, February 1, 1977, at 7:30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough. Members present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gatos, County Administrator, Neal Evans, County Finance Director, and Agathat Johnson, Clerk. The Chairman stated that the purpose of the meeting tonight was to reach a consensus of how Orange County thinks the District Health Depart- ment can be strengthened in order for Orange County to remain in the District. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he felt it would be useful to highlight some of the basic conerns which had been pointed out to the District Health Board. He suggested that the Board look at the present District Health structure and haw it should be in the future and then look at a single county structure and decide which structure would best meet the needs of Orange County. Commissioner Willhoit stated that he felt the health needs of Orange County could be met by either structure, the District Health arrangement or a single county district. He added that his question was how to re- structure the present District Board to be certain they are responsive to the needs of citizens. He sited one of the problems with the District Health Board is the lack of administrative leadership. He added that the composition makeup of the Board should reflect the population of Orange County, which he felt should be 35 percent. There was discussion of methods of re-organizing the present Board. Mr. Willhoit suggested that a search committee be formed, composed of appointees by the School of Public Health, Schaol of Medicine and one appointee from each of the five counties within the District to work to find a new Health Director. Another concern Mr. Willhoit pointed out was the need to seek a better working relationship with the UNC Schools of Public Health and Medicine. To utilize more fully the resources available from these schools. He suggested that a task force be organized to explore how the District can use these resources in order that both the Counties and the university could mutually benefit. Commissioner Walker informed the Board that the District Health Board would make certain recommendations to the County at the February 2nd meeting. He stated that the District Health Board had made it clear that Orange County would not control the district. Discussion ensued regarding the membership to the District Board based on the populations of the five counties. Some members of the Orange County Board stated that they felt Orange County should have 35 percent representation to the District Board of Health. a Commissioner Gustaveson stated that the heart of the problem was that Orange County was a rapidly growing County with various health problems and changing situations. Also, Orange County has citizens who are concerned abeut these problems, the health care, and the pro- grams within the County. He stated that he was wondering if a sati- factorily situation could be worked out so that the unique needs of each of the Counties could be taken into account. Commissioner Willhoit stated that the Board of Health in conjunc- tion with the different counties should specify and offer program which are carried on. The District Health Board then should offer ideas and ways to meet these needs and then further evaluate the needs of the community. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that the Board should take a leader- ship role in pursuing the needs and ideas of good health delivery. He