BC 1995 11 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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578 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina on Thursday, November 16, 1995, at 6:30 P.M. Present - Chairman: Jeffrey L. Barnhart Vice-Chairman: Arne L. Fennel Commissioners: Sue B. Casper Kenneth Mills Franklin C. Niblock, Jr. Also present were Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney, and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. The Board of Commissioners met jointly with the Cabarrus County Board of Health to discuss the proposed creation of a Public Health Authority. Dr. C. H. Smith, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Health, and the following Board members were present for the meeting: Dr. Mark Stehr; Dr. David Lockhart; Ms. Esther Carol Wright; Ms. Vernice R. Morgan; Ms. Elaine K. Porter; Mr. Don Kelly; and Mr. Charles Carroll Phillips. Dr. William F. Pilkington, Health Director, and a number of Health Department employees were also present for the meeting. Chairman Barnhart and Dr. Smith were absent for the beginning of the meeting. Vice-Chairman Fennel, who also serves as the Commissioner member of the Board of Health, called the meeting to order. Mr. Jeff S. Koeze of the Institute of Government discussed the legality of the proposed Public Health Authority and the changing health care trends throughout North Carolina. Mr. Hartsell discussed the proposed creation of a Public Health Authority using the "Hospital Authorities Act" set forth in North Carolina General Statutes 131E, Article 2. In regards to the broad statutory powers, Mr. Hartsell explained that the Board can limit what the Authority can do and can prohibit the establishment of another hospital in the county. The permitted activities will be identified in the resolution creating the Public Health Authority. In conclusion, Mr. Hartsell outlined the following action necessary to establish the Authority: (1) Adopt Resolution creating the Authority, including specific activities and the initial members; (2) Submit application for incorporation as a Hospital Authority under the provisions of N.C.G.S. 131E-19; (3) Adopt Charter; and (4) Adopt By-laws for the Authority. Ms. Becky Whitley, representative of the State Health Director's Office, reported that the State Office has reviewed the draft proposal for the creation of a Public Health Authority and does support the concept. She stated the proposal is consistent with the State's goals of added flexibility and increased capability in meeting health care needs. Dr. Pilkington gave an overview of the history of Public Health in Cabarrus County. He reviewed various aspects of the proposed Public Health Authority, including the key features, proposed organization chart, the impact on services/programs and employees and the impact on finances. Dr. Pilkington explained that the Authority would give the department the flexibility to seek grants and to enter into health care contracts to better meet the health care needs of the community. With the creation of the Public Health Authority, Dr. Pilkington stated that County funding for contracted services and indigent health care will remain at the FY 1995-96 level for the next five years. He further pointed out that the Authority would operate all public health services with the exception of environmental health, vital records, and communicable disease services. The Health Department will continue to provide these services. The two boards reviewed the current options for the operation of the Cabarrus County Public Health Department. These options included the creation of a district Health Department and district Board of Health, reorganization through contracting out services, contracts with public entities and continuing with the current operation. After discussion, there was general consensus that the proposed Public Health Authority is the most viable option at this time.