In a move towards continued cost
savings and increased efficiency, Schuyler and Yates counties have adopted
resolutions authorizing the sharing of a Public Health Director between the two
counties.
At their respective meetings on
Monday, August 13, county legislators voted to authorize an Intermunicipal
Agreement (IMA) permitting the consolidation of this position within the two
counties.
The aim of the project is to work
collaboratively while maintaining two distinctive health departments with
shared leadership and integrated service delivery. Both departments will be governed
by their respective legislatures and/or boards of health.
Yates Chairman Doug Paddock
commented “As we continue to seek efficiencies for our residents and taxpayers,
this most recent move exemplifies the commitment of both counties towards
improving service delivery while lowering costs.”
Schuyler Chairman Dennis Fagan added,
“While we continue to struggle with unfunded mandates and their associated
escalating costs, it is great to be able to partner with our neighbors to the
north, to achieve real savings for our residents.”
Both Chairs expressed their
appreciation to County Attorneys Steven Getman (Schuyler) and Scott Falvey
(Yates) for their efforts in crafting an IMA that both Legislatures agreed
upon.
The agreement, which now goes to
the NYS Department of Health for approval, is in response to the announced
retirement of Schuyler Public Health Director Marcia Kasprzyk, and the desire
to further collaboration between each county.
According to Schuyler County
Administrator Tim O’Hearn while the combined savings approach $100,000
annually, the move will actually provide increased levels of service as each
county shares departmental resources.
By combining some resources,
functions, and staff in their health departments, the two counties provide
services that enhance their role as public health facilitators and educators in
their respective communities, including:
- · Public health education
- · Emergency preparedness
- · Childhood Early Intervention Programs
- · Residential sanitary inspections
- · Flu clinics
- · Rabies clinics
O’Hearn stated “I commend both
Marcia and Deb for their initiative in bringing this recommendation to their
respective Legislatures. It is not often in government that such a
collaborative and non-parochial approach to administration is achieved and this
is a testament to their professionalism and dedication to public health!”
This is the latest shared service
initiative between Yates and Schuyler, who currently share a Director of
Weights and Measures and Code Enforcement responsibilities.
Both Counties have long
recognized that inter-municipal cooperation can help local governments increase
effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services and is encouraged by
the New York State legislature via broad statutory authority. Here, the counties are taking advantage of
legislation passed in 2011 that allows up to three county public health offices
in counties with a combined population of less than 150,000 to share staff and
services under the management of one public health director.
A County
Health Department's mission is to protect and promote the health of its
residents through prevention, science and the assurance of quality health care
delivery.
