Local health districts urge continuation of $15 million SB118 public health improvement funding

The committee heard testimony from multiple local health authorities, county associations and health system partners urging continuation of the public health improvements and infrastructure funding originally created by Senate Bill 118.

Mitch Devalier, agency manager for public health improvement and infrastructure at DPBH, described how the $15 million in SB118 funds were allocated per capita to counties and health districts and cited examples of local uses: White Pine County purchased a pickup truck to reach remote areas; some counties used funds for social media outreach to seniors; larger health districts invested in data modernization and office space. "The funding going forward, I think, would be, it would set a great example of how Nevada is now, wanting to prioritize public health in the state," Devalier said.

Multiple local officials provided public comment. Nicki Aaker, director of Carson City Health and Human Services, said her agency used the funding to address gaps from community health needs assessments including transportation for seniors, STI testing campaigns and restarting youth vaping prevention efforts. Darren Winkelman, administrator for the Central Nevada Health District, said his district used funds for data infrastructure and building upgrades. Amy Hyne Sutherland of the Nevada Association of Counties and representatives from Northern Nevada Public Health, Southern Nevada Health District and hospital systems described flexible, non‑categorical funding as critical to address local priorities and workforce investment.

Committee members asked whether the funding proportions established under SB118 for health districts should continue and whether reporting and accountability associated with SB118 should be retained. DPBH Deputy Administrator Julia Peek said the health district allocations would remain the same and that the department could provide performance dashboards and additional reporting on deliverables. "If it's related to the medical epidemiologist for opioids, for example, they will have deliverables... and we have to share it in some sort of transparent way," Peek said.

Speakers urged the committee to continue SB118 funding in the governor—s recommended budget and to preserve the non‑categorical flexibility that allowed local jurisdictions to address diverse foundational public health needs.