Okaloosa County BOCC — May 15, 2013 — Letters for Gov Scott — reading text

Board of County Commissioners State of Florida May 21, 2013 The Honorable Rick Scott State of Florida, The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Dear Governor Scott: On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, I write to request your support for the $2.25 million allocation for the Okaloosa County Health Department. This request includes $1.2 million in non-recurring general revenue for the purchase of two mobile dental units and one mobile medical unit; $550,000 in recurring general revenue for the operation of the mobile units; and $500,000 for renovations/upgrades to the health department facilities in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach. The Okaloosa County Health Department has a long history of focusing on serving only clients who need medical or dental services who are without health insurance or the financial means to access these services or to provide access to health services when there is no other willing provider. The health department works closely with private providers, our two HCA hospitals, faith-based health clinics and our local federally qualified health center to appropriately place clients in care with any other willing provider before accepting those clients into our medical home. Dental services are also critically needed as there are no willing providers for the Medicaid Managed Care Dental Program except the Okaloosa County Health Department. Demand for child dental health services cannot be met with existing infrastructure. In additional there is a demand for adult Medicaid dental for clients in nursing homes, emergency dental services for adults from our emergency departments, and other adult dental care for clients served at the health department. Two vehicles will allow us to expand access to dental services in Crestview and provide access new access to dental services in the Fort Walton Beach area. Additionally, there remains a growing demand for a medical home service for the uninsured as many have transportation problems. The mobile medical van will allow the health department to provide the services in alternative locations where we do not have a fixed facility. The allocation of recurring general revenue for the operations of the mobile units will assure that the health department has base funding to staff and operate the units. @ = BCC-North 302N. Wilson St., Suite 302 ° Crestview, FL 32536 » (850) 689-5030 Fax (850) 689-5025 % BCC-South 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 100 » Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 »* (850) 651-7105 Fax (850) 651-7142 The renovations and upgrades at the two fixed facilities of the health department are needed for removal of crumbling flooring and replacement, to perform asbestos abatement which will result in both facilities being free of any residual asbestos, and to refurbish and renovate numerous 25-35 year old bathrooms. While our facilities are old they are well cared for and do not need to be replaced. Renovation is a cost-effective way for us to extend the useful life of these buildings. In the past we had submitted a fixed capital outlay request to the Department of Health for a new facility but after careful consideration of our current locations, the ongoing lifespan of these buildings that can be attained with renovations; we withdrew a much more costly request for a new facility from the Department of Health. I sincerely appreciate your consideration of these projects which are consistent with our mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of people in Florida and Okaloosa County. Sincerely, Don R. Amunds Chairman cc: Sarah Busk, Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners Board of County Commissioners May 21, 2013 The Honorable Rick Scott State of Florida, The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Dear Governor Scott: I write to thank you for the leadership you have provided to the people of Florida and for your foresight in recommending library funding in your budget for Fiscal Year 2013- 2014. On behalf of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, I request your support for Section 79 of the General Appropriations Act that helps provide vitally needed funding for library service to Okaloosa County residents. Robust library service is critical for our citizens to live, learn and work in the 21st Century. Libraries connect residents to technology and training that develops a skilled and ready workforce. Free access to computers and the Internet are essential to job search and employment processes. Libraries are an important gateway to electronic government functions and social services. They support literacy and educational endeavors, empowering academic success and career growth. Okaloosa County residents visited our libraries more than 613,000 times last year, a strong indicator of the importance of libraries in their lives. Your funding for Okaloosa libraries will leverage tax dollars for maximum benefit of these citizens. I appreciate your consideration and support for Section 79 and thank you for all of your efforts for the people of Florida and Okaloosa County. Sincerely, Don R. Amunds Chairman ce: Sarah Busk, Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners 8 BCC-North 302 N. Wilson St., Suite 302 * Crestview, FL 32536 » (850) 689-5030 Fax (850) 689-5025 €§ BCC-South 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 100 » Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 « (850) 651-7105 Fax (850) 651-7142