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Council narrowly approves extension with LA County Department of Public Health; members raise concerns about county role
Summary
The council extended a contract for public health services with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 4-1, after discussion about the options for local control and the cost of running an independent city health department.
The El Segundo City Council on June 3 approved an extension of the city’s agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health by a 4-1 vote.
Council Member Giroux asked what the city was buying by renewing the county contract and whether there were alternatives. "What are we buying into when we do this other than what we saw during COVID?" she asked during debate. Staff and the fire department said the county provides public education, inspection and regulatory functions, and that most small cities contract with the county.
City staff reported that the cost to establish and operate an independent, full-service city health department would be roughly $16 million annually, based on an analysis of neighboring cities that operate their own departments. Officials said Pasadena and Long Beach are the only nearby independent city public health departments with that level of service.
Council members voiced concern about political disputes the county’s role triggered during the pandemic but concluded the city lacks the scale and resources to take on mandated public‑health services. The motion to extend the county contract passed 4-1.
