RESOLUTION 2002-76

(Formation of Skamania County Health Board and Health Department)

 

WHEREAS, Clark and Skamania counties have filed their respective notices of intent to withdraw from the SWHD, pursuant to the provisions of RCW 70.46.090, such withdrawals to be effective January 1, 2003; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County, effective January 1, 2003, intends to create the Skamania County Health Department (SCHD) to provide required public health services for the citizens of Skamania County; and

 

WHEREAS, RCW Chapter 70.05 sets forth the regulations for local health departments, boards, and officers; and

 

WHEREAS, Clark County, effective January 1, 2003, intends to create the Clark County Health Department (CCHD) to provide required public health services for the citizens of Clark County and has indicated its willingness to provide services to the citizens of Skamania County by contract; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County intends for its County Health Department to contract with Clark County to provide health services similar to the type and standard of services provided to the citizens of Skamania County by the SWHD; and

 

WHEREAS, Skamania County desires to communicate on local public health issues and receive feedback on local public health issues from local agencies and citizens;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Skamania County Board of Commissioners that, effective January 1, 2003, the Skamania County Health Board will be formed and shall operate as follows:

 

1.      The Board of Commissioners shall serve as the Skamania County Board of Health.  The elected chairman of the Board of Commissioners for each year shall also serve as the elected chairman of the Board of Health.  The Skamania County Board of Health shall have the powers and duties set forth in RCW 7 0.05.060.

 

2.      The Board of Health shall appoint an administrative officer to act as executive secretary and administrative officer for the board of health and shall be responsible for administering the operations of the board including such other administrative duties required by the local health board, except for duties assigned to the local health officer as enumerated in RCW 70.05.070 and other applicable state law.

 

3.      The Board of Health shall appoint a health officer who shall fulfill the powers and duties set forth in RCW 70.05.070 and other applicable state law.  It is intended that the health officer for Clark County shall also serve as the health officer for Skamania County by inter-local agreement;

4.      The Board of Health shall appoint two representatives to the Public Health Advisory Committee of the County providing public health services to Skamania County to ensure Skamania County has the opportunity to discuss and comment on public health policies and services affecting Skamania County;

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Health shall contract with another County to provide public health services to the citizens of Skamania County unless the Board deems it more prudent, efficient and cost-effective to provide these services itself.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, effective January 1, 2003, to carry out the public health programs authorized by the Board of Health, a Skamania County Health Department is created that shall:

  1. Be under the direction of the Administrative Officer;
  2. Administer any inter-local agreement(s) entered into with other counties to provide public health services to the citizens of Skamania County;
  3. Administer any contracts between the County and state, federal, and local agencies, and other organizations providing public health services to the citizens of Skamania County;
  4. Be a department (0010.355) within the Current Expense Fund; and shall submit its budget in accordance with the County budget process;
  5. Follow all administrative rules of the County, including, but not limited to personnel, risk management, budget, fiscal management, property management and purchasing;
  6. Negotiate an annual budget with any other outside agencies providing public health services to the citizens of Skamania County;

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in any inter-local agreement for public health services from another County, the Board of Health shall describe how public health policies and fees shall be set for Skamania County;

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Health may choose to subsidize all or any portion of any fee charged to Skamania County citizens for public health services provided it budgets sufficient budget to pay the subsidy.

 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Skamania County Board of Health shall create a Skamania County Public Health Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Board of Health as follows:

 

1.      The Committee shall have not more than 7 members, including one representative from each incorporated City in Skamania County and one representative from each Commissioner District;

2.      The Cities shall each appoint a representative to the advisory committee;

3.      The remaining members shall be appointed by the Board of Health and may be citizens or representatives of other agencies interested in public health in Skamania County;

4.      The Advisory Committee shall meet quarterly to discuss public health issues affecting Skamania County and to provide input and recommendations on public health policy to the Board of Health.  If necessary, additional meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Health;

5.      The Advisory Committee shall conduct public meetings and notice of the meetings shall be published in the newspaper of record, at a minimum, at least one week prior to the meeting.  The Board of Health chairman shall be responsible for scheduling these meetings as provided in this resolution.

 

PASSED IN REGULAR SESSION this 30th day of December, 2002.