Orange County NC Website
t~ <br />Commissioner Willhoit stated that additional sanitari.ans <br />were added to the Health Department's staff last February due to the <br />increased environmental health services. That .fees are a cost of <br />development and that the cost should be put up front. He stated <br />that to provide the services to the public which the Health <br />Department is now providing will mean an increase in the tax rate <br />if the fee schedule is not implemented. The Health Board is <br />also considering the possibility of adding fees for other health <br />services. <br />Josephine Barbour spoke against the setting of fees in the <br />Health Department. <br />Gerry Cohen, a Chapel Hill Alderman, stated that because of <br />the way in which the County tax structure is set up, many new <br />residents in the County do not pay taxes for the first two <br />years before their homes come up for taxation. He added that he <br />felt it only fair that people pay for septic tank inspections <br />and building permits. This way, new home owners do pay some <br />of the cost of county government. <br />Mr. Whitfield asked the Board to consider two questions: <br />1) Why can't a private builder in the County hire his own engineer <br />or architect to perform soil analysis and septic inspections and <br />2) Why does the Board want to tack more administrative cost on <br />the taxpayers by the changing of fees? <br />Jerry Robinson stated that a sanitarian acts as an agent <br />for the State of North Carolina and that he does not know whether <br />or not there is a provision in the State law that would alloev for <br />a private engineer to perform these tasks. The County of Orange <br />does not control the method in which the law performs. He <br />suggested that the County Attorney research this suggestion further. <br />Other unidentified persons spoke against the fee collection <br />system. <br />Chairman.Whitted stated that the Board would continue discussion <br />of the proposed fee schedule and would reach some resolution re- <br />garding the matter very soon. The Chairman then asked the. Health <br />Chairman to discuss Item C under Budget Discussion. <br />Dr. Mayes informed the Board of new health programs efforts <br />from the State which needed response, <br />On June 9th, the Division of Health Services asked the <br />Health Board to provide public health services to Orange County <br />migrant workers_ The State will pay for all primary care and <br />hospitalization.. The Department is asked to provide nursing time <br />and local staff support costs to locate, screen, refer and follow-up. <br />It is estimated that one nurse will be needed for two months. <br />On June 9th, Health Services asked the Department to follow-up <br />on all home delivered infants in the Cbunty in an effort to reduce <br />infant mortality and morbidity. Over one year's time, it is esti- <br />mated 2 months nursing time will be needed. <br />Health Services on June 13 asked the Health Department to be <br />the lead agency far all Supplemental Security rncome disabled <br />children supported by the Social Security program in the County. <br />On a yearly basis, it is estimated 3 months nursing time will be <br />needed. - <br />Dr. Mayes pointed out that these were county problems and <br />should be dealt with by the County Health Department_ <br />The Health Director read to the Board a statement comparing the <br />present County Health Services with those services provided by <br />District Health. Mr. Robinson stated that the Health Department <br />was proud of what has been accomplished in a few short months and <br />asked that the County establish priorities and fund accordingly. <br />