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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH January 25, 2007 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 4 January 25, 2007 options associated with various loan repayment programs currently being offered at the state and/or federal levels. Because Orange County has a medical and dental school located in the county, the county does not qualify for federal or state funding to offer this reimbursement for new hires. Dr. Christine Lathren, a Preventive Medicine Fellow on assignment with the Department conducted a special research project that outlines various loan repayment options across the country. Staff met with the Personnel Director and the County Attorney to discuss a draft proposal to develop a local loan repayment program that would be available for “hard to recruit” professionals and they were receptive to the concept. The County Attorney advised that this should be a part of the overall county personnel ordinance in order to assure fairness to all county employees. The Personnel Director will be drafting an amendment to the ordinance for consideration by county commissioners. Staff is proposing that the department’s annual Medicaid cost settlement funds received for dental services be delegated/used for the purposes of this loan repayment program. Cost settlement funds vary in amount according to the costs and numbers of services provided in programs that earned Medicaid revenues in a previous year (we received funds in mid-2006 for services rendered in 2004-2005). Generally the Department receives between $7000 and $11,000 each year for the Dental Health Program. This would enable the Department to fund one position’s loan repayment amount annually. Staff is currently in discussions with the Finance and Budget Departments to ensure that this is procedurally possible as well. Board members suggested a verification of debt requirement be included in the policy. Motion to approve and forward the proposal to the Board of Commissioners for action was made by Tim Carey, seconded by Ernie Dobson, and carried without dissent. E. Water Resources Update: Jessica Lee and Matt Vizithum The joint committee composed of three Board of Health and three Commission for the Environment designees have met three times with Andy Sachs from the Dispute Settlement Center. The last meeting was held January 18. Jessica Lee reported to the Board that no agreement has been reached and that limited progress had been made. Each group developed a separate job description. A final report will be sent to the County Commissioners by the Manager. The Facilitator’s Report should be available by the next meeting. F. Comprehensive Plan Update: Ernie Dodson Ernie Dodson attended the initial meeting of the Planning Board’s kick off for Board liaisons for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan development. The purpose of the Plan is to guide growth and development in the County through 2030. Although the Board of Health is not responsible for a particular element, there were several areas of interest that the Board was able to offer comments for consideration. The Board of Health has been designated as a Liaison to four advisory boards under this plan; Data Element (County