Approved Minutes of February 26, 2025

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 26, 2025 • Dr. Stuebe asked if there was any effort to improve snow removal on the sidewalks and bike paths to which Mr. Stolka explained that town hall has a mini-sweeper that may be usable to clear sidewalks and bike paths, but there is only one and there may not be enough staff to operate it— North Carolina is not really equipped to deal with snow. • Mr. Whitaker asked if the Department of Transportation (DOT) is a good partner, since their primary goal is to move traffic efficiently, to which Commissioner Fowler commented that elected officials are pushing DOT to consider both efficiency and safety. • Dr. Nickelson asked about standing scooters, and Mr. Stolka replied that they are trying to get them to use the bike lanes. Dr. Rodgers commented that scooter users and cyclists don't always obey traffic laws and that this can be a cause of near-hits. • Mr. Stolka mentioned that there are some issues with the timing of traffic lights and crosswalks (for example, starting the crosswalk signal a few seconds before a left turn light to allow pedestrians more time to cross) that need to be addressed. The goal is to keep traffic moving, just at slower speeds, which can be just as efficient and is safer. • In response to Dr. Stuebe's question, Mr. Stolka said that the Board of Health can help by spreading messaging about safe speeds and about timing lights to help encourage driving at the speed limit as well as spreading the word about upcoming events. VIII. Actions Items A. FY2025-2026 Budget and Fee Schedule Frederick Perschau, Finance and Administrative Services Director, presented on the 2025 — 2026 Proposed Health Department Budget and proposed updates to the fee schedule. Some highlights of his presentation are below: • Mr. Perschau reviewed the materials relevant to the budget request and provided an overview of the annual budget timeline, including creating the budget workbook beginning in early December, receiving the base budget from the County Manager's Office in January, reviewing the base budget and workbook with the division directors, and putting together the budget request during February. Once the budget request has been approved by the BOH at the end of February, it is reviewed by the County Manager in March before the BOCC reviews it in conjunction with the total county budget request in a series of working meetings during April and May. The total county budget, including the health department budget, is approved in June. Once approved, the budget is monitored throughout the new fiscal year and reported on at least quarterly, though the leadership team reviews the budget monthly. He added that it is especially important to keep on top of things that the health department can influence, such as service revenue. • Most of the county funds in Orange County come from property taxes; regarding the health department budget, service fees are the largest source of revenue, followed by state funding. Mr. Perschau commented that an increase in industry in the county would help increase county funds. • People costs (e.g., salaries, benefits) are one of the largest expenses for the health department. Mr. Perschau shared that the health department is requesting six new full- time equivalent (FTE) positions, including a new full-time Spanish interpreter so that each clinic is staffed with one. He explained that this will save a considerable amount of money, as there is currently a temporary part-time interpreter who would not be needed if there was a full-time interpreter, and interpreter services are contracted with an outside service when a staff interpreter is not available and that this is expensive. In response to Dr. Stuebe's question, Mr. Perschau clarified that certain providers are considered S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ February Page 5