Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 19, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-d <br /> SUBJECT: Renewal of Health Services Agreement with Southern Health Partners for <br /> Medical Services at the Orange County Detention Center <br /> DEPARTMENT: Sheriff's Office <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Renewal Letter Dated March 19, 2026, Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood, <br /> for Contract Period July 1, 2026 — 919.245.2900 <br /> June 30, 2027 Jennifer Galassi, Legal Advisor to the <br /> Sheriff, 919.245.2952 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a renewal of the Health Services Agreement with Southern Health <br /> Partners for medical services at the Orange County Detention Center. <br /> BACKGROUND: Since 2009, the County has contracted with Southern Health Partners (SHP) <br /> to provide a structured and comprehensive medical program for inmates housed in the Orange <br /> County Detention Center (OCDC). SHP is experiencing wage inflation and competing agencies <br /> offering substantially higher pay, leading to its decision to impose a four percent (4%) increase on <br /> the base fee and per diem rate. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: Upon approval of the renewal, the monthly contract price will increase <br /> $17,887.80 per year. The new contract price will be $465,081.96 annually ($38,756.83 per <br /> month). If the average daily population (ADP) exceeds 140 inmates, the compensation payable <br /> to SHP shall be increased by a per diem rate of $1.82 for each inmate over 140. <br /> As in the previous two (2) fiscal years, SHP has continued the restructuring of the contract to shift <br /> the costs of medical supplies, over-the-counter medications, and labs, applying them toward the <br /> cost pool accounting totals to accrue against the annual pool limitation. If these costs were to <br /> exceed the annual cost pool limit, SHP would seek reimbursement from the County for the excess <br /> amount. The first tier of the annual outside cost pool is $60,000, and the second tier is $140,000. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY <br /> OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and support services for adults and <br /> children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and intellectual or <br /> developmental disability <br /> OBJECTIVE 4. Reduce impacts and barriers for justice-involved children and adults <br /> through deflection, diversion, therapeutic interventions, and re-entry support, including <br /> housing. <br />