STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April 12, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Cynthia Owens, Policy and Management Analyst
Subject: Request by Mayor Bosse for an Update on the Creation of a Public Health Department
Attachments: None
INTRODUCTION
At the request of Mayor Bosse, this item provides an update to the City Council on the creation of a public health department.
DISCUSSION
Background
Staff has done substantial research on creating a public health department. Additionally, staff has reached out to other cities that have public health departments. This data is still being correlated and analyzed. Staff will provide the information at the next update to the City Council.
Staff has obtained quotes from two potential consultants to assist the City in exploring the various avenues for creating a public health department. Staff is actively searching for a third potential consultant to ensure the City is obtaining a well-qualified consultant competitive pricing. The hiring of a consultant should be completed over the next several weeks.
Once the consultant has gathered enough information, an overview and summary for the Beverly Hills Public Health Department will be created.
On December 1, 2020, the City Council requested Staff explore the possibility of creating its own public health department as well as the associated costs; roles and responsibilities for a public health department; and a potential timeline.
At the December 8, 2020, staff provided a broad overview of creating a City public health department. The City Council directed staff to continue to explore creating a City public health department and to bring their findings back to Council.
Update and Next Steps
Meeting Date: April 12, 2022
As directed by City Council on December 8, 2020, staff intends to first present the report to the Health & Safety Commission for review and comment before presenting the report to the City Council.
Staff will provide another update to the City Council in September 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff estimates the cost to hire a consultant will be under $100,000. Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 City Council approved budget for the Policy Management Department (48000101) for hiring a consultant.
The cost for the City to form a public health department is currently unknown.
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council may provide any direction they wish on this item.
Nancy Hunt Coffey
Assistant City Manager
Approved By