How is a public health authority created?

There are two steps that must be taken to create a public health authority: (1) a public hearing and (2) a joint resolution. First, the board of county commissioners must hold a public hearing about the board’s interest in creating an authority. Notice of the hearing must be published at least 10 days before the hearing. See G.S. 130A-45.02.

After the hearing, the county or counties involved may establish an authority. To create a single county public health authority, both the board of county commissioners and the local board of health must adopt a joint resolution that it is in the interest of the public health and welfare to provide public health services to the community through a public health authority. To create a multi-county public health authority or join an existing public health authority, the boards of commissioners and local boards of health in all participating counties must adopt a similar joint resolution.

A public health authority, whether single or multi-county, is governed by a public health authority board (G.S. 130A-45.1) and administered by a public health authority director (G.S. 130A-45.4, 130A-45.5).