RESOLUTION #2006-106

OPPOSING SENATE BILL NO. S2244 FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO ASSUME HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

WHEREAS current State statute is in place that allows and facilitates consolidation and regionalization of local public health services that protect New Jersey’s 8.7 million residents; and

WHEREAS NJSA 26:3A2-1 et seq. permits municipalities to participate in regionalization efforts best suited to the needs of their residents via interlocal contracts with other municipalities, participating in the formation of Regional Health Commissions or by contracting with a county health department; and

WHEREAS Harvey Cedars formally consolidated and regionalized public health beginning in 1984; and

WHEREAS through consolidation and regionalization, the municipalities of Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Harvey Cedars and Barnegat Light have saved significant tax dollars; and

WHEREAS through independent consolidation and regionalization, residents have benefited through increased public health services; and

WHEREAS public health should be viewed as the model of municipal consolidation, as there are only 115 health department serving the State’s 566 municipalities; and

WHEREAS a further reduction of health departments is likely to result in an erosion of trained and experienced individuals capable of responding to public health emergencies; and

WHEREAS New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation, and a further reduction in the number of health departments and personnel performing essential health services at the local level will result in the elimination of vital programs and services that positively impact the health of New Jersey residents and employees; and

WHEREAS licensed Health Officers, Public Health Nurses and Registered Environmental Specialists in the State of New Jersey function in capacities such as emergency responders and providers of direct services of the public; and

WHEREAS consolidation and regionalization that adequately and appropriately prevents disease, promotes public health and protects communities is encouraged; and

WHEREAS both the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services and New Jersey Health Officers Association are in the process of evaluating the current public health system in New Jersey for the purpose of recommending potential changes to improve the system.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Harvey Cedars is hereby opposed to S-2244 that proposes consolidation for the sake of consolidation and forced consolidation of public health services at the county level.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Harvey Cedars is also opposed to Senate Bill 2244, which directs the Department of Community Affairs to evaluate public health systems with no basis of knowledge to do so, and repeals the statutory language maintaining the current public health workforce.

PASSED ON:  December 1, 2006