Board of health could be here soon
County commission has favorable reaction to resolution
Shelby County is taking steps to recreate a board of health, an entity that the county last had in 1911.
The board of health — if approved Monday — will exist alongside the Shelby County Health Department, governing the policies of the health department, adopting rules and regulations and providing recommendations to the county mayor.
It will also, through the county health director or health officer, enforce rules and regulations related to public health.
Regulations of a county board of health supersede less stringent or conflicting local ordinances, which would make the board a powerful tool for county leadership that sometimes conflicts with the governments of seven municipalities.
Alisa Haushalter, director of the Shelby County Health Department, told commissioners Wednesday that she has advocated for a board of health in the past. She previously worked in a county that had a board of health.
As it has moved through the COVID-19 pandemic, the health department has seen that a board of health
would assist in establishing regulations and rules to improve public health for all, she said.
The resolution says any rules or regulations adopted by the board that are “necessary or appropriate to protect the general health and safety of the citizens of the county … shall be at least as stringent as the standard established by a state law or regulation as applicable to the same or similar subject matter."
“Regulations by a county board of health supersede less stringent or conflicting local ordinances,” it reads, language that mirrors Tennessee code.
“COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future and other public health needs could be lurking just behind the horizon," said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris in a written statement. "The Joint Task Force is working to slow the spread. But, we are also working on strategies to ensure that our public health capacity is strong and set up for the long-term. This is one of the steps the County is taking to elevate the role of public health, expand our abilities in a public health emergency, and build out infrastructure for the long-term.”
Members of the board will include two physicians, one dentist, one pharmacist and one registered nurse, all of whom must be licensed to practice in Tennessee. There also will be a citizen representative and a doctor of veterinary medicine, commissioners decided Wednesday.
The members will be nominated by the county mayor and approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
The county health director and county health officer will serve as ex officio members to the board, with the county health director serving as secretary to the board.
If a vote is tied, the mayor or the mayor’s designee has the authority to cast the deciding vote on the motion.
Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner said it will be good for the commission to be advised by experts on budgeting and crafting legislation related to public health, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t likely to end anytime soon.
“The fact that you have legislation regarding health emanating from a board of health professionals is only logical,” Turner said. “We oftentimes call on experts in the field to inform us on what we’re trying to undertake policy. Having a dedicated board would make our work much easier when we have to tackle health issues in the community.”
Meetings of the board of health will be open to the public, according to the county attorney’s office.
Wednesday, commissioners gave the resolution creating a board of health a “favorable recommendation” in committee. It is scheduled for a vote in commission on Monday.
Katherine Burgess covers county government, religion and the suburbs. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com, 901-529-2799 or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.