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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH November 19, 1998 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Patsy L. Bateman 3 November 19, 1998 The critical factor in sending this forward is the request for staff resources, on the last page. Given current staffing resources we would be stretched to respond to outbreak situations. It is anticipated that the Health Department would need to have at least one additional staff member that would be responsible for investigating potential outbreak situations, contact tracing and other field investigative work. We currently have one communicable disease nurse that does that in addition to other duties. The second staff addition needed is someone who can produce educational materials, plan educational sessions with providers, other team members and county staff, and develop communications. This position would also be responsible for dealing with the media, producing newsletters (communicable disease and departmental), etc. Orange County Health Department Strategic Service Plan for 2000-2005 These are areas that need an increased focus in the next five years. Greater attention should be given to addressing Orange County specific health priorities and those are clear in the Healthy Carolinians material. Given the lack of interest of private dental providers in providing services for the Medicaid population, the health department will need to increase dental health services in both locations. An increase in voluntary programs in food service consultation and inspections is needed. The proposed expansion of the WTMP program is also a significant new effort. An additional new focus anticipated in the environmental area is on air quality monitoring and assessment, especially indoor air quality. The State Health Director has a focus on asthma prevention that will be a significant effort from the State level. School health nurses report that they are also seeing more asthma-related problems. The last area needing development is adequate surveillance systems and database resources. Wastewater Treatment Management Program (WTMP) The goal is to develop a program that assists homeowners in maximizing the life of on-site conventional wastewater treatment systems, thereby protecting the environment and the health of the public. There are approximately 617 alternative systems and 2,000 pump conventional systems currently permitted in Orange County. There are another 75 systems permitted by the State. The alternative systems make up a small percentage of the on-site wastewater treatment systems prevalent in the county. Septic tanks are present in approximately 20,000 households in the county, with about 500 new systems permitted each year. There is increasing concern in the public arena over the potential failure of conventional (septic tanks) septic systems. While in some areas this is a serious problem due to unsuitable soils, in many cases, failing systems can be attributed to improper use of maintenance of the system itself. Environmental Health staff developed a draft proposal to expand the current WTMP to include conventional septic systems. The objective of the WTMP is to establish a monitoring and maintenance assurance program which meets or exceeds minimum state and local health and environmental rules and regulations. Assuming approval by the BOCC, a timeline for starting the program would be further developed. Board members voiced concern regarding the presentation of four goals to the Board of County Commissioners. The concern is that having four would cause the Commissioners to possibly do away with one or two. At least two of the goals are not new, they are ongoing goals. It is not clear as to whether or not the Commissioners are looking for new goals or looking for more fully developed current goals.