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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings pursuant to Section 3.13.030 (E) of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code that the work involved in as-needed Public Health Officer coverage by the County of Sacramento, may be performed by a contractor as it is with another governmental entity;
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4(2f) exempting the competitive bidding process, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, because the procurement is for services where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the services cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 9253 with the County of Sacramento, to provide interim full-time Health Officer coverage on an hourly reimbursement basis, in an amount not to exceed $190,000, and for the term of one year upon execution with the option to extend for an additional six months;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to MOU 9253, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
5) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the HHSA Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to MOU 9253.
FUNDING: State Realignment Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On January1, 2025, the position of County Health Officer became vacant. In anticipation of this vacancy, HHSA carried out an extensive recruitment process to locate a qualified full-time replacement. These recruitment endeavors yielded no success in filling the position. Subsequent to the unsuccessful recruitment campaign, HHSA initiated a search to identify a suitable interim County Health Officer to stay in compliance with state statute Health and Safety Code (HSC) 101000-101010, which requires each county to appoint a Health Officer.
In response to this need, HHSA began exploring the possibility of contracting part-time County Health Officer services. This exploration ultimately led to a successful agreement with the County of Sacramento to provide County Health Officer services. The County of Sacramento possesses licensed physicians in good standing with the Medical Board of the State of California including exceptional credentials, background, and experience in the field of Public Health, which will greatly benefit the County's Public Health programs and services.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17, the contractor is exempt from competitive bidding, as approved by the Purchasing Agent, under Section 3.4 (2f). This section specifies that such exemptions are permissible when "the procurement is for services where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the goods cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge."
This MOU is restricted to Sacramento County because they have licensed physicians with the expertise, credentials, and experience necessary to fulfill the critical duties of the County Health Officer. Their familiarity with public health practices and their existing partnership with El Dorado County under MOU 7828 ensure continuity of services, efficiency, and critical institutional knowledge. These factors make Sacramento County uniquely qualified to provide interim Health Officer services, and no other provider can deliver the same level of continuity and expertise within the required timeframe.
As of January 1, 2025, HHSA temporarily appointed an extra-help County Health Officer to address the vacancy and stay in compliance with HSC 101000. This MOU aims to utilize Sacramento County Health Officers to serve as interim Health Officer for El Dorado County during extended vacancies. Recognizing the urgent need for part-time Health Officer services while continuing the search for a full-time replacement, HHSA is presenting MOU 9253, which builds on the existing partnership (MOU 7828, Legistar file 24-1873), to ensure that the County will have mandated public health officer coverage and services.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board chooses not to approve this recommendation, HHSA's options would be restricted to recruiting for a full-time Public Health Officer, leaving HHSA without the required staff to provide support for tasks associated with the Public Health Officer role.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
12/03/24, 24-1873, HHSA Temporary Health Officer Coverage, County of Sacramento & Alpine
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management. The Auditor Controller has been notified per Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the MOU.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original MOU 9253.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency