Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings pursuant to Section 3.13.030 (C) of the El Dorado County Ordinance Chapter 3.13.030 (C), Contracting Out, that due to the limited timeframes and temporary or occasional nature of the work involved in as-needed Public Health Officer coverage, the aggregate of work to be performed is not sufficient to warrant addition of permanent staff;
2) Approve and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or Principal Management Analyst, to sign non-financial, perpetual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 7828 with the County of Sacramento and County of Alpine for temporary Public Health Officer coverage;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to MOU 7828, that do not add compensation, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic and administrative documents related to MOU 7828.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Counties of El Dorado, Alpine, and Sacramento (collectively referred to as “counties”) each have a Board appointed Public Health Officer (PHO) whose job is to support and enforce public health actions and take preventive measures to protect the public health during an emergency in their jurisdictions, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Sections 101025, 101035, and 101040.
To ensure coverage of this mandated position during the temporary absence of any of these counties’ PHO, the tri-county MOU presented in this agenda item, establishes a framework for mutual support of these neighboring counties in PHO duties. On an as-requested basis, this MOU allows a PHO from any of the three counties to temporarily cover for a neighboring county’s PHO when they are absent.
Under the MOU, El Dorado, Alpine, or Sacramento County may request temporary coverage from another county’s PHO, who will assume all necessary duties for the requesting county. The MOU becomes effective once signed by all parties and automatically renews on an annual basis. Participation is voluntary, and counties or a county PHO can decline or discontinue coverage at any time without facing any penalties. This MOU ensures that public health services are maintained even in cases of temporary absences, while adhering to all relevant federal, state, and local laws.
HHSA recommends Board approval of this MOU to ensure continuous public health oversight by a PHO during any temporary absences of the El Dorado County’s PHO, to ensure continuity of mandated public health officer coverage and services.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to manage public health oversight internally, relying solely on existing staff and resources, which may lead to potential gaps in coverage during the County’s Public Health Officer absences.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no cost associated with this agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency