Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
Amend Article I.B. - Public Health Bureau of the Monterey County Fee Resolution effective March 1, 2024, to establish, delete, and adjust fees pursuant to the attached Schedule of Fees and Charges relating to services provided by the Health Department’s Public Health Bureau and Health Administration Bureau.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
Amend Article I.B. - Public Health Bureau of the Monterey County Fee Resolution effective March 1, 2024, to establish, delete, and adjust fees pursuant to the attached Schedule of Fees and Charges relating to services provided by the Health Department’s Public Health Bureau and Health Administration Bureau.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey Health Department is requesting approval of proposed fee adjustments to Article I.B. - Public Health Bureau of the Monterey County Fee Resolution to more closely reflect, while still not exceeding, the actual and reasonable costs of services and benefits provided to the public by the Health Department’s Public Health Bureau and Health Administration Bureau.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed fee adjustments are recommended for the Public Health Laboratory and Environmental Laboratory category as well as the Research/Evaluation and Information Technology category of Article I.B - Public Health Bureau of the Monterey County Fee Resolution.
The Public Health and Consolidated Environmental Laboratories were established under the authority of Section 101150 of the California Health and Safety Code. The Public Health Laboratory is certified by the California Department of Public Health (Department of Health Services (DHS) #0904), and the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) #050643583). The Public Health Bureau also operates a co-located state certified Consolidated Environmental Laboratory for testing environmental samples and food samples for disease causing organisms and toxic chemicals. The proposed fees are established, deleted and adjusted in the Public Health Laboratory and Environmental Laboratory categories of Article I.B. - Public Health Bureau of the Monterey County Fee Resolution. The new and adjusted fees are based on established fee setting methodology and include the addition of new tests and fees, removal of discontinued tests and fees, and adjustment of certain tests and fees including shipping and handling fees.
The Health Department requests that Article I.B be amended as follows: 1) Add QuantiFERON TB Plus-25 specimens per week at $75.00 each, Monkeypox PCR at $129.00 each, SARS-CoV-2/FLU/RSV PCR at $95.00 each, HF 183 PCR at $120.00 each, Reflex HF 183 PCR at $80.00 each, and Sample Filtration and Archive at $40.00 each, 2) Increase Ammonia from $36.00 to $60.00, 3) Increase shipping and handling fees for the following from $20.00 to $30.00 CCR, Title 22 Primary (inorganic chemicals), CCR Title 22 Combined general mineral, general physical, and inorganics, Nutrients - Includes nitrate, ammonia, and orthophosphates, NPDES Municipal Water Supply Panel Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, EPA300 (NO3, NO3, SO4, Cl), B, ALK, TDS, pH, SEC, NPDES Influent Panel EPA 300 (CI1, NO3, NO3, [N]), B, SO4, Solids, TSS, TDS, Na, NO2 (N), Total (N), BOD, TKN, NPDES Waste Water Metals NPDES Ground Water Monitoring Panel EPA 300 (Cl, NO3, NO3[N], B, SO4, TDS pH, Na, NO2(N), Total (N), TKN, and Panel tests completed by outside lab - Synthetic, Organic, misc.
The Health Department Health Administration Bureau, Policy, Evaluation and Planning Unit (PEP) provides epidemiological consulting services to local agencies. Services include health outcomes study design, coordination, and management; bio statistical analysis; spatial analysis; grant development; and program evaluation. PEP subject matter experts work with agencies to build local capacity and foster collaborative relationships.
The Health Department requests that Article I.B. be amended as follows: 1) Decrease Contract or agreement preparation from $142.00 to $141.00, Policy development, draft policy language, and technical assistance (2 hr. min) from $146.00 to $145.00. 2) Increase Research, Evaluation, and Assessment from $129.00 to $130.00, Data collection, extraction, statistical analysis, and/or interpretation - basic from $114.00 to $115.00, Data collection, extraction, statistical analysis, and/or interpretation - advanced (2 hr. min) from $118.00 to $123.00, Spatial analysis and/or mapping (2 hr. min) from $124.00 to $129.00, and Database cleaning and management from $127.00 to $129.00.
The documents in support of the proposed fee adjustments are attached hereto. They reflect both additions and increases based on the actual current costs of the indicated services. By definition, changes to these fees are not a “tax” and are exempt from voter approval pursuant to Article XIII C section 1(e)(1)-(3) and (5) of the California Constitution (Prop. 26; charges imposed for specific benefit conferred/privilege/service or product, reasonable regulatory costs provided or granted to the payor, and/or fines and/or penalties). As such, they reflect no more than the actual cost of the service/benefit received by the payor.
This resolution supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goal: 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports three of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population; 4. Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health; and 10. Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved as to legal form and fiscal provisions respectively.
FINANCING:
The proposed fee adjustments are intended to offset costs associated with the provision of the indicated services and do not exceed actual costs for providing these services. As such, the fees represent a charge imposed for the specific service provided directly to the payor that is not provided to those individuals not charged and which does not exceed the reasonable costs to the County for providing the service. Anticipated revenues resulting from the proposed fee adjustments are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Adopted Budget. The proposed fees will offset actual and reasonable costs of services and benefits provided to the public by the Health Department’s Public Health Bureau and Health Administration Bureau.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst II, 796-1377
Approved by:
______________________________Date:____________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Proposed Article I.B. Schedule of Fees and Charges (clean, effective March 1, 2024)
Proposed Article I.B. Schedule of Fees and Charges (redlined)
FY 22-23 Public Health Fee Schedule
Board Resolution