HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2011-030 Resolution Supporting Public Health Funding through State Local Aid to County~-s-~~1/
~~
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING THROUGH
STATE LOCAL AID-TO-COUNTY
WHEREAS, State funding for local public health services is small, only 0.3% of the
total state budget, and these funds are extremely critical in the delivery of local public
health services; and
WHEREAS, State funding for local public health is provided through: (1) Aid to
County, (2) Categorical funding and (3) Contracts/grants for special projects; and
WHEREAS, Aid-to-County funding is the only non-cate o~ rival funding allocated by the
state to local health departments to assure the provision of essential public health
services; and
WHEREAS, These funds are intended to improve health at the local level by providing
resources to address locally identified gaps in services and community needs and creating
the infrastructure necessary to effectively and efficiently respond to local needs; and
WHEREAS, local public health departments must be prepared with the infrastructure to
respond to known issues such as emergency preparedness, communicable diseases,
pandemic flu, childhood obesity, diabetes, infant mortality disparities, methamphetamine
lab clean-up, food safety and promoting the availability and accessibility of quality
healthcare services, as well as response to emerging needs; and
WHEREAS, local public health departments must be adequately funded to mobilize
communities to improve the health of those disproportionately impacted by disease and
early death, and reduce health risks for the entire population; and
WHEREAS, Governor Beverly Perdue's proposed budget calls for over a 60% reduction
in Aid to County funds (a reduction of $6.8 million of the current $11.4 million funding
and elimination of all $400,000 .Aid to County funding from Division of Environment
and Natural Resources);
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners opposes the cuts to Public Health Aid-to-County funding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners supports increasing Aid to County funding for local public health
departments to assure a strong statewide system that is prepared to address local public
health needs.
This the 5th day of Apri12011. ~~j~,`+~~eX/~~ ~/
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners