HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-16-1999 - 5aORANGE COUNTY
Board of Commissioners
Action Agenda
Item No.~_
Action Agenda Item Abstract
Meeting Date: March 16,1999
Subject: Resolution on State Reorganization of Environmental Health Programs
Department: HEALTH
Attachments(s): Resolution
Public Hearing Yes X No
Budget Amendment Needed Yes X No
Information Contact:
Health Director's Office X2411
Telephone Number
Hillsborough-732-8181
Chapel Hill - 968-4501
Mebane - 227-2031
Durham - 688-7331
Purpose: To adopt a resolution and forward to key players at the state level voicing support for keeping
environmental health programs together in DHHS.
Background: Two years ago, the NC Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources reorganized and
split into two departments -the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the NC Department of
Health and Human Services. At that time no decision was made regarding the placement of environmental health
programs; rather a "stakeholders group" was appointed to study the issue and make recommendations to the state
regazding placement of these programs. Last spring, stakeholders issued a white paper recommending keeping
environmental health programs together under the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The white paper concepts received support of organizations listed in the resolution, including the NC Association
of Boazds of Health and the NC Association of County Commissioners. Three environmental programs that are
health-related are the food and lodging program, on-site wastewater and public water supply. Food and lodging
has been placed in DHHS; at issue are the on-site wastewater program and water supply program, which the
Secretaries of the two departments are recommending be placed in DENR The public health community would
like these resolutions adopted reinforcing the positions of key stakeholders in this process.
The split between two state departments would increase the burden at the local level for efficient administration of
these programs. Reporting authorities as well as regulatory authority would be split between two state-level
commissions responsible for different aspects of environmental programs.
Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Boazd adopt the resolution and forwazd it to the
appropriate organizations.
Resolution
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PLACING ALL PROGRAMS TRADITIONALLY IN THE
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH UNDER THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND E[UMAN SERVICES
WHEREAS, Delivery of Environmental Health services to the Citizens of North Carolina is
carried out at the county level by local health department employees; and
WHEREAS, Delivery of Environmental Health services at the local level is funded by local
dollars (97% local and 3% state); and
WHEREAS, Environmental Health services at the local level include on-site wastewater (i.e.
septic systems) food, lodging and institutional sanitation (restaurants, nursing homes, food borne
disease investigation) child care sanitation, child lead program, swimming pools, rabies control,
safe drinking water; and
WHEREAS, Having two different proposed State environmental health authorities for local
health departments is inefficient and will cause regulatory confusion for the public and severely
impact centralized training, authorization, regulatory direction and uniformity; and
WHEREAS, the NC Association of County Commissioners, the NC Association of Local Health
Directors, the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health, the NC Environmental Health
Supervisors Association, and the NC Public Health Association have endorsed the position to
keep environmental health programs together under the State Health Director.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners
strongly supports the need to ensure all aspects of environmental health be under the
organizational structure of the Department of Health and Human Services in order to continue to
provide the most effective regulatory program for the citizens of North Carolina for the
protection of the public health and preservation of the environment.
Cam. ~
Alice M. Gordon, Chair
Orange County Board of County Commissioners
~~ /6 /x'99
Date
L:~Petsy\Boce4ese6299