AGENDA DATE: 11/14/2018
TITLE:
Title
Fiscal Year 2019 County of Albemarle and State Health Department Local Government Agreement
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approve FY19 Agreement with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for the provision of public health services through the Thomas Jefferson Health District (TJHD)
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Letteri, Kamptner, Herrick
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Virginia Code § 32.1-31 allows 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: Quality Government Operations: Ensure County government’s ability to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: The Thomas Jefferson Health District (TJHD), in cooperation with the VDH, is the primary provider of public health services and programs for Albemarle County and surrounding localities. TJHD 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, TJHD 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 TJHD programs is provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia, grants, and income from local fees charged to individual clients. The localities served by TJHD 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 proposed FY 19 agreement (Attachment A) outlines the respective obligations of the County and the VDH. Attachment B sets forth services to be provided by the TJHD. Attachment C includes comments from a VDH representative, explaining changes from last year’s agreement.
BUDGET IMPACT: Pursuant to the funding formula set by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and based on the State’s FY19 contribution of $893,928 to the TJHD, the County’s required FY 19 match is $731,396.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Based on the vital nature of the services provided by the TJHD, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment D) to approve the FY 19 County of Albemarle and State Health Department Local Government Agreement (Attachment A) and to authorize the County Executive to execute that Agreement after it is approved as to form by the County Attorney.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: FY 19 Local Government Health Department Agreement
Attachment B: Attachment to Local Government Health Department Agreement
Attachment C: Agreement Attachment with VDH comments on proposed changes
Attachment D: List of VDH comments on proposed changes
Attachment E: Resolution