Board sets public hearing on plan to consolidate Health and Social Services under a single Human Services Agency

County staff presented a plan on Oct. 21 to merge the Department of Social Services and the Health Department into a single Consolidated Human Services Agency governed by a newly constituted board. Staff Attorney Logan Roberts described the proposed board composition (staff recommended 15 members with a mixture of four consumers, eight professionals including two physicians with one psychiatrist, one ex officio county commissioner, and additional seats to ensure professional expertise) and recommended abolishing the existing advisory boards to create a single governing entity.

Roberts clarified the County Manager would hold hiring authority for the consolidated agency director and that the new board would have "advice and consent" responsibilities rather than final hiring authority: "The County Manager holds full authority to make all hiring decisions, including for department directors and other employees," Roberts said. The Board approved setting a public hearing on the proposal for the Nov. 18, 2025 regular meeting; if adopted after public hearing, the Board would appoint members to staggered terms and the new structure would assume responsibility for Health Department accreditation and director oversight.