Plan to merge city, county health departments moves forward
The Branson Board of Aldermen will be considering a Resolution at its next meeting to further explore service integration between the city’s health department and the Taney County Health Department by establishing a community task force committee.
Aldermen held a joint public meeting with the Taney County Health Department Board of Trustees Friday afternoon and heard presentations by the directors of the city and county health departments on the advantages of merging the two into one countywide health system.
Taney County Health Director Jim Berry said the current dual health system causes confusion with citizens. Currently the city health department conducts all environmental inspections for commercial businesses while the county provides general health programs for adults and children. Berry said people will call the wrong health department for the information they are seeking, and they can’t understand why that department can’t help.
“The structure of health services in the county could be strengthened with this integration of services,†Berry said. “Every citizen in our county expects a public health department to meet certain standards.â€
Under the proposed merger, the eight environmental health inspectors from the city health department would be absorbed into the county health department with no loss of salary.
The Taney County Health Department is funded by a portion of property taxes plus federal grants as well as state reimbursements for certain women and children’s programs. Berry said the county health department’s budget is about $3 million.
During the transition to one health department, Berry said the city of Branson would contribute $800,000 a year, and that amount would probably decrease over time.
Both Berry and city of Branson Health Director Linn Smith recommended a task force be established to further study the integration proposal.
Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley said a resolution will be brought before aldermen May 29 that authorizes her to appoint two members from the Board of Aldermen to serve on this task force.
The Taney County Health Department Board of Trustees will also appoint two members, and representatives from the Branson lodging and theater associations will also serve on the task force.
