The consolidation of the City of Akron Health Department and the City of Barberton Health District with the Summit County Health District, creating a united, county-wide public health district has been recognized with a 2011 Crown Communities Annual Excellence Award from American City & County magazine.
“I am pleased that one of our many county-wide efforts to streamline local government services has been recognized by American City & County with this award,” stated Executive Russell M. Pry.
The Public Health District consolidation is one of six winners featured in the American City & County December 2011 publication. Projects were judged on uniqueness, short and long term value to the community and effective/innovative financing.
“I am excited that the health district consolidation will serve as a model for other cities and counties throughout the country,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic. “Just as the City consolidated services with Summit County for our building department and weights and measures division, bringing the health departments together just made good economic sense. Through this consolidation we were able to increase efficiency, avoid duplications, conserve valuable community resources and save our taxpayers money.”
One of the primary goals of the merger that took effect on January 1, 2011 was to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the public health system in the County of Summit. Positive results of the consolidation were quickly seen in the County. For example, through the realignment of personnel and regionalization of inspections, food safety sanitarians have increased the number of inspections from 170 to 300 per sanitarian and licensing fees charged to restaurants have reduced. There was an increase in mosquito trapping for West Nile Virus testing. Waste inspections at scrap tire facilities and compost facilities also increased.
“I would like to congratulate all of the community stakeholders who played a role in this successful consolidation project,” stated newly elected City of Barberton Mayor William Judge. “My administration is a strong supporter of all consolidation projects that aim to reduce governmental redundancies, save tax dollars, protect community resources and increase efficiencies.”
American City & County magazine is an Atlanta, Georgia based publication and web site whose mission is to illuminate, analyze and concisely explain important issues facing cities, counties and states and provide information that helps them deliver public services in the most cost-efficient and effective manner. For more information on the America’s Crown Communities awards visit: www.americancityandcounty.com.
