Duplin County commissioners approve consolidation of health and human services under county control
Loading...
Summary
The Duplin County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on Dec. 16 to adopt a resolution consolidating the county—s health department and social services functions into a single county-controlled health and human services agency under General Statute 153A-77; the resolution establishes an advisory committee and places a consolidated director under the county manager.
Duplin County commissioners voted 4-1 on Dec. 16 to adopt a resolution creating a consolidated health and human services agency and assuming the duties of the consolidated human services board.
County Manager Miller read the resolution at the meeting, citing General Statute 153A-77 and the legislative changes from House Bill 438 that gave counties the option to consolidate health and social services functions. The resolution, effective as adopted, authorizes the county to abolish the separate social services board and board of health, form a consolidated human services board, establish an advisory committee with the same membership makeup as the board of health under General Statute 130A-35, and place a consolidated health and human services director under the supervision of the county manager. The resolution also states that affected employees would be removed from the State Human Resources Act.
Commissioner Edwards moved to proceed with consolidation; Commissioner Branch seconded the motion. After limited discussion and an opportunity for clarification, the chairman called for a vote. The chairman announced the motion carried with four votes in favor and one vote against.
Supporters at the meeting said consolidation is intended to promote administrative efficiency by bringing public health and social services under a single director and advisory structure. County Manager Miller said the county followed required procedures, including a public hearing held Dec. 2, 2024, and statutory notice published in a newspaper of general circulation.
Opponents at the meeting expressed concerns about changes in governance and employment conditions; the transcript records one vote in opposition but does not include a roll-call naming the dissenting commissioner.
The resolution references state statutes and past legislation by name; the board recorded the public hearing date and confirmed notice requirements were met. The board did not delegate the consolidated board—s powers but established an advisory committee aligned with the statutory membership for boards of health.
Next steps identified by county staff include finalizing administrative details and implementing the consolidated director role; the resolution was adopted by the board at the Dec. 16 meeting and will be implemented in accordance with the statute cited in the resolution.