May a county change the type of local public health agency it participates in or operates?

Yes, if the board of county commissioners approves the decision to change. In some cases the approval of the local board of health is required as well.

In order for a county to join a district health department, form a new public health authority, or join an existing public health authority, both the board of county commissioners and the board of health must agree to the change.[1] Other decisions regarding the type of local public health agency may be made by the board of county commissioners alone. For example, the board of county commissioners may create a consolidated human services agency that includes public health without the local board of health’s agreement.[2] County commissioners also may act alone in deciding to dissolve a single-county public health authority, withdraw from a multi-county public health authority, or withdraw from a district health department.[3]