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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 26, 2006 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 5 October 26, 2006 By consensus Board members agreed that a resolution should be drafted similar to the Brunswick County resolution and put on the November agenda. C. Consolidation of Human Service Departments The Buncombe County Commissioners are seeking to have the population limit removed from the legislation that authorized Commissioners to create a consolidated human service agency. Removing this population cap could potentially affect the entire structure of public health across the state. Currently only two counties meet the population requirement for this model: Mecklenburg and Wake. Boards of Health have independent authority from Boards of Commissioners. Boards of Health utilize the professional expertise of members of Boards of Health to make recommendations and rules that are based on science and best practices. The intent was to help Boards of Commissioners be able to separate health decisions from political considerations. The Buncombe resolution cites efficiencies in programs, cost effectiveness, and streamlined access for citizens as reasons that they wish to consolidate. For the most part, each agency has specific program requirements that will not change regardless of the structure. While coordination can always be improved, most human service departments already have mechanisms for coordination and access in place to smooth the process for residents. In the Mecklenburg and Wake models, the Board of County Commissioners acts as the Board of Health, retaining only a Human Services Advisory Board in an advisory capacity. Mecklenburg has contracted with Carolinas Medical Center to provide all of the clinical services required by health departments. It retains a very small staff for communicable disease and a separate environmental health unit. Wake is a very large consolidated Human Service Agency that combines mental health, public health and social services. The Agency currently has more than 600 employees. The Board of Commissioners acts as the Board of Health, the Board of Social Services, and the Mental Health Board. At this time, no specific legislation has been introduced, however it is likely that the legislators from the Buncombe area will introduce such a bill. Tim Carey recommended the Board take no position at this time, but watch developments closely. D. Public Health Task Force Report and Recommendations The first Public Health Task Force Report was developed in 2004 and formed the basis for a statewide public health strategic plan. Dr. Devlin, the State Health Director, reactivated the original task force and requested that they update the 2004 Report and develop any additional recommendations that would then form the North Carolina Public Health Improvement Plan. The Report was provided to Board members and contains a list of accomplishments since 2004 and additional