Title
Health and Human Services Agency and Human Resources recommending the Board adopt Resolution 087-2013 to change the representation unit for the Public Health Officer classification from Unrepresented Management (UM) to Unrepresented Department Head (UD).
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no Net County Cost associated with this action.
Reason for Recommendation
California Government Code Section 24000(s) defines a health officer as an officer of the county. California Health and Safety Code Section 101000 requires the Board of Supervisors to appoint a health officer and pursuant to Government Code Section 33202 the Board of Supervisors shall ensure that the health officer has “sufficient authority and resources” to enable the health officer to carry out the duties required by various sections of the Health and Safety Code.
Duties of the health officer include, but are not limited to, the following: request the sheriff of the county to enforce all orders issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious, infectious or communicable disease (Health and Safety Code Section 101029); investigate health and sanitary conditions in every county jail or detention facility annually (Health and Safety Code Section 101045); investigate complaints from the public about persons without a license dispensing dangerous drugs or controlled substances, order that person to immediately cease and desist, and order the closure of the business, if any (Health and Safety Code Section 101070).
Considering the legislative authority given to the Public Health Officer to investigate and take actions to protect the health of the public outside of any administrative reporting relationship, it is more appropriate for the Public Health Officer position to be designated as Unrepresented Department Head (UD) instead of the current designation as Unrepresented Management (UM).
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
Human Resources will implem...
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