DATE: June 6, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement for Temporary Reciprocal Health Officer Coverage
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the County of Merced, for temporary reciprocal Health Officer coverage, effective July 13, 2023 not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions ($0).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will provide the Counties of Fresno and Merced with reciprocal Health Officer coverage in the event that either county's Health Officer is temporarily unavailable to carry out the duties as required by law. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
In the event that the recommended agreement with the County of Merced is not approved, the County would need to seek another alternative to fulfill the duties of the Health Officer and Deputy Health Officer should they become temporarily unavailable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action or monetary compensation under the recommended agreement.
DISCUSSION:
Each county in California has an appointed County Health Officer pursuant to Government Code, section 101000 to carry out duties prescribed in Health and Safety Code, section 101025 et seq., as well as other applicable statues. From time to time, a Health Officer may be temporarily absent from the county and/or unavailable to carry out the duties as required by law.
On July 14, 2015, and again on July 12, 2018, the Board approved reciprocal coverage agreements with the County of Merced. This recommended agreement will allow Fresno and Merced counties to continue to provide reciprocal coverage, advise staff, and issue Health Officer orders when either county's Health Officer is temporarily unavailable. Implementing a Health Officer coverage agreement, such as ...
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