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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH May 26, 2010 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 7 May 26, 2010 Christopher Cooke said that he thought it went fine. He noted the education people are very well organized and filled the room. He said he felt some of the presentations were pretty good; others were totally off the wall and he did not understand them, but they had a large attendance and that sends a very loud and clear message. He stated that he and Jessica Lee focused on several strategic points and stressed them a couple of times, notably the restaurant inspection issue. Chris Harlan said she took a broader approach and thought her comments were well received. She remarked that she did not see how the Commissioners were able to sit through public hearings. Commissioner Yuhasz said that it was important that the citizens have an opportunity to speak; that it is always anticipated the education segment will show up in force, however, when a member of the Board of Health shows up to speak it is an unusual situation and has a greater impact. He stated that the BOCC was not aware that the Department had been asked to make an additional 15% budget cuts to their proposed budget. Christopher Cooke asked whose job it was to make sure the Commissioners had all the correct information in order to consider the comments clearly. Chris Harlan stated that she had assumed the Commissioners already knew what kind of cuts the departments had been asked to make. Commissioner Yuhasz stated that it was the County Manager that was responsible for presenting a recommended budget to the Commissioners for action and that the Commissioners had not received the budget until the Monday prior to the public hearings. That is where the confusion arose regarding the additional 15% cut the Board of Health representatives addressed at the public hearings. Chris Harlan asked and received clarification that it would be best to begin by making a brief statement to put what the Board members had to say at a public hearing into a context the Commissioners would understand. Rosemary Summers clarified that the Health Department usually has its budget prepared before other departments because the Board of Health must approve it. The Manager’s direction to cut 15% came after the Board of Health had approved the budget for the department. Jessica Lee attended the first budget hearing, however, was out of town for the Board of Health meeting and was not available for comment. Rosemary Summers said the County Manager has requested a list of detailed reports and cost studies of each service within the Health Department. Staff is gathering the data requested and anticipate completion concurrent with the upcoming Commissioners budget work sessions. Steve Yuhasz suggested that the gathered data might be a good topic for the next joint BOCC/BOH meeting since it is being received so late in the budget planning stage. Chris Harlan stated that in educating Commissioners it is false to draw the line at