Why is La Plata County creating its own health department when we've had San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) for more than 70 years?
SJBPH is a public health district that serves both Archuleta and La Plata Counties. In June 2022, the SJBPH Board of Health formally recommended its own dissolution to the leadership of La Plata and Archuleta Counties. The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners instructed staff to study the recommendation and subsequently concluded that the needs of the La Plata County residents would be best served by a public health department focused on the population of La Plata County. The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) acted together with Archuleta County to accept the recommendation of SJBPH and dissolve SJBPH, effective December 31, 2023. The BoCC then acted to create La Plata County Public Health and appointed an independent 7-member Board of Health to serve La Plata County’s residents. The BoCC and La Plata County Board of Health have instructed county staff to work to ensure the orderly transition of public health delivery from SJBPH to La Plata County Public Health and to prepare the new health department for operation on January 1, 2024.
Will the County Commissioners now have decision-making authority for public health?
No. San Juan Basin Public Health retains authority for public health until December 31, 2023. The newly seated La Plata County Board of Health will have the duties and authorities described in Colorado law beginning January 1, 2024. The Board of County Commissioners appoints the Board of Health members, provides funding and many of the support services the health department will need to function effectively as a county department.
What will happen to the programs and services we now receive through SJBPH?
La Plata County expects SJBPH will continue to operate its current programs and provide services through December 31, 2023. During 2023, La Plata County staff and the newly seated La Plata County Board of Health will be working to plan and prioritize which programs will be available through the new health department beginning in 2024 and will update residents throughout the transition process.
How can La Plata County residents stay up-to-date with that process?
Residents can keep current with health department information via the La Plata County website (co.laplata.co.us) under the “Departments” tab, then “Public Health.” A transition timeline and governance calendar will be updated regularly as needed throughout 2023. Board of Health meeting minutes, audio and agendas can be viewed in the county’s meeting portal.
What's this going to cost us taxpayers?
The new health department will be funded through existing revenue streams and will not incur any new taxes for county residents.
Who will be responsible for transitioning each program to the new health department? When is that happening?
La Plata County anticipates working in teams consisting of SJBPH staff, La Plata County staff, and funders (such as Co Dept of Public Health & Environment), with assistance as needed from the consultant hired by the Board of Health to support the transition. Archuleta, La Plata, and SJBPH have already agreed to engage in staff sharing, as necessary and appropriate to ensure an orderly transition of programs and services.
The detailed transition planning is anticipated to begin this summer. See the
transition timeline posted on the La Plata County Public Health website for details.
What does hiring/transition look like for current SJBPH staff?
The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act requires that La Plata County Public Health openly post and consider all applicants for newly created public health positions. La Plata County cannot simply “transfer” employees or “merge” with SJBPH.
It’s likely that most positions will start posting in the summer. We expect to use offer letters to provide start-date expectations to new hires. Most new hires are expected to have a start-date of January 1, 2024. It’s possible some key positions will be starting sooner, but it would be a very small number.
During fourth quarter 2023, we expect to begin offering on-boarding sessions to new candidates to make sure the new health department can be open for business and ready to operate on January 1, 2024.
What is the process for hiring a Public Health Director?
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. has been engaged to conduct the recruitment and manage the Board of Health’s selection process.
If a staff person leaves SJBPH and is hired by the new La Plata County Public Health department, how will retirement vesting occur in La Plata County?
All county employees are required to participate in the county’s retirement plan on their first day of employment. New hires who haven’t previously participated in the retirement plan require 5 years to vest. SJBPH participates in the same plan.
According to our retirement provider, Colorado Retirement Associates, if a SJBPH plan participant is hired by La Plata County Public Health within 30 days of their termination date from SJBPH, they will maintain their immediate eligibility to participate in LPC’s 401a plan as long as they meet the county’s eligibility requirement (employee works 12 months a year and at least 30 hours a week). The employee will also maintain their original date of plan participation for purposes of vesting.
Additionally, La Plata County’s retirement program provides a graduated contribution schedule effective on the first day of employment:
Length of Employment
|
Employer / Employee Contribution
|
Up to 6 years
|
5% / 5%
|
6 - 10 years
|
6% / 6%
|
11 - 15 years
|
7% / 7%
|
16+ years
|
8% / 8%
|
If a person leaves SJBPH and is hired into a similar job within La Plata County health department, will the job have at least the same wage as they currently earn at SJBPH?
The answer will depend on the employee and the position. The County’s job postings will indicate the compensation range specific to that position so all applicants can decide whether to apply.
What does PTO accrual look like at La Plata County?
La Plata County has two kinds of leave: Annual Leave and Sick Leave.
Annual leave is to be used for personal time off. There is no waiting period for using Annual Leave.
Annual Leave is a vested benefit. Therefore, at the time when a county employee separates from the county, any unused accrued leave will be paid out to the employee.
Annual Leave Accrual: (Based on 40 hours/week. Prorated for benefit-eligible employees scheduled 30-39 hours)
Note: The number of days annually in the chart below is based on an 8-hour work day.
Length of Employment
|
Accrual Rate
|
Max Cap
|
Up to 5 years
|
8 hrs per pay period (26 days annually)
|
200 hrs
|
5-10 years
|
9 hrs per pay period (29.25 days annually)
|
240 hrs
|
10-15 years
|
10 hrs per pay period (32.5 days annually)
|
280 hrs
|
15+ years
|
11 hrs per pay period (35.75 days annually)
|
320 hrs
|
Sick Leave is compensated time-off to be used by the employee for a personal illness, medical care or treatment, or for an immediate family member’s illness, medical care or treatment.
There is no waiting period for using accrued Sick Leave. This is not a vested benefit, therefore at the time a county employee separates from the county, sick leave accruals are not paid out to the employee.
Sick Leave Accrual: The accrual rate is 4 hours per pay period for 40 hour/week employees. Accruals are prorated for 20 - 39 hour/week benefit-eligible employees and capped at 720 hours for all employees.
If a SJBPH employee is hired by the La Plata County health department, can they bring their vacation balance?
No. When an employee separates from the employer, Colorado law requires that the employer pay the employee their earned wages, which includes paid vacation earned. See C.R.S. 8-4-109 and 8-4-101. Accordingly, vacation balances will not transfer to La Plata County.
If a SJBPH employee is hired by the La Plata County health department, will their sick leave bank transfer over?
No. Newly hired La Plata County employees accrue sick leave per the schedule above.
Will the new public health department be housed in the same building?
No decision has been finalized, but it is likely. Archuleta, La Plata, and SJBPH agreed that each building would be transferred to the county in which it is physically located. La Plata County staff has already started our normal process to assess the title, inspect the building, and evaluate the property so that we can make a detailed plan for the building transfer.
Will LPC have a policy in place to extend FMLA-benefits to SJBPH staff in their first year of employment with LPC?
We must follow our standard operating procedures and as such prior SJBPH employees are considered new employees and are subject to the same rules and procedures as any other new employee which means they would not be eligible for FMLA until they have hit their 1-year mark with us.
Do LPC employees need to have a valid driver's license to be eligible for employment? Do you review a candidate's driving record in the screening process?
Yes, all of our regular employees are required to have a valid driver’s license and a driving record review is part of our background check for all employees.
What is the waiting period for healthcare benefits for SJBPH employees who are hired by LPC?
Our health benefits become effective the first of the month following date of hire. For example, if someone is hired on 1/1/24, their health benefits are in effect on 1/1/24. If someone starts on 2/15/24, their health benefits are in effect on 3/1/24.
What factors will LPC take into account when determining placement on pay scale for each new public health department employee from SJBPH?
We typically advertise most of our positions within a range and final pay decision is based on experience & education.
My understanding is that LPC has decided not to honor the tenure of SJBPH employees who choose to work for the LPC PH department. Is that correct?
We must follow our standard operating procedures and as such prior SJBPH employees are considered new employees and are subject to the same rules and procedures as any other new employee.
What is your vision for job sharing as SJBPH staff are hired (or provided an offer letter) for the LPC PH department?
We anticipate nearly all La Plata County Health Department employees starting on 1/1/24 and not before. However, we are working on an agreement between LPC and SJBPH to provide expertise as we stand up services and capabilities, more to be discussed and finalized on that.