Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement between the County of Monterey and the County of San Luis Obispo for the provision of testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and other public health laboratory testing services, for a maximum County obligation of $30,000 for the term of January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026;
b. Approve non-standard terms and indemnification provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($3,000) of the original agreement, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total amount, not to exceed $33,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement between the County of Monterey and the County of San Luis Obispo for the provision of testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and other public health laboratory testing services, for a maximum County obligation of $30,000 for the term of January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026;
b. Approve non-standard terms and indemnification provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($3,000) of the original agreement, do not significantly change the scope of services, and do not increase the total amount, not to exceed $33,000.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey Health Department requests an Agreement with the County of San Luis Obispo for public health laboratory services. San Luis Obispo County’s Public Health Laboratory would provide up to $30,000 of testing from January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026, to support public health laboratory services while HVAC repairs are being completed at the County of Monterey Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory. The Agreement would assure continuity of critical services for local medical providers and the community during repairs.
DISCUSSION:
County of Monterey Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory (PHL) provides clinical and environmental testing to support the programs of the Health Department as well as hospitals, clinics, other health care providers, private businesses, citizens, and local, state and federal authorities. The PHL performs testing to prevent and control communicable diseases, rule out bioterrorism agents, identify contaminants in food and water, diagnose rabies virus in animals, and provide specialized testing for rare and novel diseases using tests that are not available in hospital and commercial laboratories. The PHL also serves as the area’s Regional Laboratory for surrounding counties with limited public health laboratory testing capacity.
In early 2026, the PHL’s facilities will undergo repairs and enhancements to their HVAC system. These repairs are necessary to ensure adequate air exchange in the PHL and its Biosafety Level III suites. The PHL will be required to suspend testing for certain airborne pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) during repairs. The proposed Agreement will allow the PHL to send time-sensitive specimens to the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Laboratory when the PHL cannot conduct these analyses. The Agreement will assure critical services to local medical providers and the community are continued during repairs.
The County of San Luis Obispo requests that the County of Monterey Health Department, upon executing the agreement, submit it to its Board of Supervisors for approval and signature.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded by 65% Public Health Lab fee revenue and 35% Health Realignment. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (001-4000-8124-HEA003) FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This Agreement is necessary to ensure access to essential PHL testing services, including testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). These services are critical for early detection, prevention, and control of infectious diseases, directly supporting the Strategic Plan Goal of Well-Being and Quality of Life by protecting community health and improving health outcomes.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
_X_ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
____ Administration
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst, 796-1366
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement