DIS- 311
Items For Discussion
Work Session Board of Supervisors
Health & Social Services
- Meeting Date:
- 07/12/2011
- Title:
- Health Fees
- Submitted By:
- Arlethe Rios, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
Presentation:
PowerPoint
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Jennifer Steiger
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Vital Records Program Coordinator
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Agenda Item Text:
Discussion and direction regarding the Cochise County Health Department’s recommendation to increase fees in the Office of Vital Records.
Background:
The Office of Vital Records has determined there is a need to consider fee increases in the program to address the newly approved State Office of Vital Records’ Self Sufficiency Plan. The State Office of Vital Records, as part of this plan, has raised the surcharge all counties are required to pay for every certified copy of a death/birth certificate issued from $1 to $5. This is an increase of $4 for every certificate. Currently, we charge $10 for a certified copy. The impact on Cochise County will be a loss of net income of approximately $46,000/annually.
We are proposing an increase in fees to offset these rising expenses, and to enable us to continue to provide high quality services to our customers.
Two plans have been drafted as possible fee structures to implement. Plan 1 will hold the Cochise County Office of Vital Records harmless, and provide a modest net income increase of approximately $11,000 to the GF. Plan 2 will hold the Cochise County Office of Vital Records harmless and provide a net income increase of approximately $66,000/annually to the GF. Also, it is worthy to note that the State Office of Vital Records is recommending all counties go to the Plan 2 fees we have proposed, as this would keep all counties and the state fees consistent. According to ARS 36-341.A, “A local registrar may establish the local registrar’s own fees…” we recommend that one of the fee plans is approved as it is within the authority of the BOS to make such changes.
We are proposing an increase in fees to offset these rising expenses, and to enable us to continue to provide high quality services to our customers.
Two plans have been drafted as possible fee structures to implement. Plan 1 will hold the Cochise County Office of Vital Records harmless, and provide a modest net income increase of approximately $11,000 to the GF. Plan 2 will hold the Cochise County Office of Vital Records harmless and provide a net income increase of approximately $66,000/annually to the GF. Also, it is worthy to note that the State Office of Vital Records is recommending all counties go to the Plan 2 fees we have proposed, as this would keep all counties and the state fees consistent. According to ARS 36-341.A, “A local registrar may establish the local registrar’s own fees…” we recommend that one of the fee plans is approved as it is within the authority of the BOS to make such changes.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Ensure that the BOS has a firm understanding of the rising expenses for services we provide and to obtain BOS direction on the recommendations we have made to offset rising expenses through fee increases. This will also be an opportunity to examine how these increased fees will impact the Health Department’s Office of Vital Records income projections for the upcoming fiscal year, and how our fees will compare to other the counties in Arizona.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
n/a
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
n/a