AGENDA DATE: 4/5/2023
TITLE:
Title
Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Local Government Agreements
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approve FY 22 and FY 23 agreements with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for the provision of public health services through the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD)
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Rosenberg, Herrick, Birch, Sumner
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Virginia Code § 32.1-31 authorizes local governing bodies to enter into contracts with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for the operation of local health departments. It also requires that these contracts specify the services to be provided in addition to those required by law and contain such other provisions as the VDH and the governing body may agree on. The County’s contract specifies both the scope and costs for the services to be provided locally.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD), in cooperation with the VDH, is the primary provider of public health services and programs for Albemarle County and surrounding localities. BRHD offers specific health programs targeted at preventing and controlling infectious diseases, as well as initiatives aimed at improving the health of low-income women, children, and infants. In addition, BRHD provides an inspection and monitoring program to ensure the safety of food and private well/septic systems. These services are funded cooperatively by the state, County, and other neighboring jurisdictions. Non-local funding for these BRHD programs is provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia, grants, and fees charged to individual clients. The localities served by BRHD provide matching local funds for the allocations made by the state and allocate resources for Local-Only Programs, such as food safety. The VDH requires that local governments enter into agreements stipulating the scope of health services to be provided by the health districts in their respective jurisdictions.
The FY 23 agreement (Attachment A) outlines the respective obligations of the County and VDH. The state’s contribution increased by $99,100 over FY 22, for a total of $997,390, and the County’s required funding increased by $24,660, for a total of $846,659. There is no carry-forward of prior year funds.
The FY 22 agreement (Attachment B) was initially presented to the Board in April 2022. Unfortunately, the dollar amount of $29,757 indicated by VDH on the previously submitted agreement was inaccurate. That amount instead should have been $10,989.86. BRHD has revised the FY 22 agreement with the updated amounts. The state’s contribution for FY 22 was $898,290, and the County’s required funding was $821,999. Further, $10,989.96 was brought forward from the FY 21 year-end BRHD closing balance into FY 22 to offset this increase as the funds required are 100% local funds provided by the General Fund. According to the BRHD funding application information, the increase in County funding and the carry-forward funding is to support the Community Health Worker position and the associated costs of the Yancey Community Center clinic that serves southern Albemarle and not the district.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no impact to the FY 23 budget as the funds necessary were included in the current budget. The details of the funding formula, pursuant to that set by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, are as follows: the state’s FY 23 contribution is $997,390 to the BRHD; the County’s FY 23 contribution is $846,659. The County’s contribution is made up of a required local match of $816,046 and an additional discretionary contribution of $30,613 to support the Community Health Worker and associated costs for Yancey Community Center clinic.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Based on the vital nature of the services provided by the BRHD, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment C) to approve the FY 23 and FY 22 Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Local Government Agreements (Attachments A and B, respectively) and to authorize the County Executive to execute both Agreements after they are approved as to form and substance by the County Attorney.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - FY 23 Local Government Health Department Agreement
B - FY 22 Local Government Health Department Agreement
C - Resolution