[Item tabled from September 2, 2025, Special Executive Session] Discussion, possible action, and possible executive session to approve the Interim Agreement with PetraMED, LLC for Public Health Medical Director services, to ensure continuity of medical oversight for Cochise County Health and Human Services until execution of the new Medical Director contract (RFP 26-03-HEA-01). The interim agreement is effective September 4, 2025, through October 3, 2025, at a rate of $2,500 per week (up to 10 hours per week), with additional authorized services billed at $250 per hour.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3), the Board may vote to enter executive session to receive legal advice from the County Attorney related to this item.

Cochise County Health and Human Services (HHS) requires uninterrupted Medical Director coverage to provide statutory and clinical oversight for public health operations. The County’s current Medical Director agreement expires on September 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., and the new award under RFP 26-03-HEA-01 is still in finalization.

To prevent any lapse in coverage, staff negotiated a short-term Interim Bridge Agreement with PetraMED, LLC. This agreement provides weekly Medical Director services on a retainer basis of $2,500 per week for up to 10 hours, with pre-authorized additional services billed at $250/hour. Services will be authorized in weekly increments beginning September 4, 2025, and the agreement will automatically terminate once the new Medical Director contract becomes effective.

The scope of services under the bridge agreement is limited to public health and includes:

• 24/7 availability for clinical and infectious/zoonotic concerns

• Oversight of immunization and TB programs, including high-risk case consultation

• Policy, protocol, and standing order review and approval

• Service as laboratory director for pediatric iron testing

• Documentation and clinical determinations for official county records

This interim measure ensures that Cochise County maintains required medical oversight for immunizations, communicable disease response, and other statutory public health functions during the transition period.

Execute contract.

If this agreement is not approved, Cochise County Health and Human Services would be without required Medical Director coverage after September 3, 2025. This would interrupt critical public health functions such as immunizations, TB oversight, and communicable disease response, place the County at risk of regulatory non-compliance, and increase liability exposure until a new Medical Director contract is finalized.

Send executed copies to Barb Lang and PetraMED.