Committee approves updated Health Department co-op agreement with state

Rutherford County’s Health and Education Committee on Dec. 16 approved a routine co‑operative agreement that consolidates the county’s revised state public‑health contract and the county’s non‑reimbursable local support.

The agreement, presented by health department director Sydney Butterfield, combines the updated contract — identified by staff at roughly $3,692,800 in state funds — with a local direct support figure noted in the packet. Butterfield said the office received the finalized state contract the prior week and revised the county document to match the state paperwork.

Commissioners asked for basic clarifications about the funding source and whether the county’s local contribution is part of a required match. Butterfield said the money shown under Section A represents direct local funds the county provides and will not be reimbursed by the state, while Section B lists the state contract amount approved last month. County staff confirmed the county funds are budgeted in the operating general fund.

Commissioner Wilson moved the committee approve the agreement; the motion received a second and passed on a roll call vote. Justin, the deputy finance director, recorded the yea votes of the commissioners present.

The co‑op agreement is an annual administrative step that synchronizes the county’s paperwork with the state contract and does not itself create a new ongoing county obligation beyond the items already budgeted and previously discussed by the commission.