City of Independence announces Health Department operation changes

February 28, 2018

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Independence City Manager Zach Walker announced today that duties performed by the Health Department will be transferred to other city departments. The changes take full effect July 1, 2018. Over the next four months, the City will work closely with the employees impacted and community partners to ensure all essential functions of the City’s Health Department are covered.

“This decision was not taken lightly but we feel it is a necessary step to meet the goals outlined in the City’s strategic plan, Independence for All,” City Manager Zach Walker said.

The strategic plan includes a key goal of Financial Sustainability, with a targeted strategy to increase efficiencies to control costs of operations. To that end, the City Manager and staff have been critically evaluating the organizational structure and determining the best way to redirect resources.

“Many of the services offered by the Health Department are duplicated by other public or private sector providers,” Walker said. “We are focusing on essential public health services and integrating those duties with other city functions. This is a conversation happening across the country and communities are starting to move away from the traditional model of centralized health services. We will achieve a healthier Independence by incorporating health considerations into decision-making across all departments and city services, such as housing and economic development.”

The changes are estimated to save approximately $375,000 annually for the City’s General Fund, which will help close a $3 million budget gap that is projected for the upcoming fiscal year.

“We are fulfilling our promise to be good stewards of limited public dollars by redirecting resources to the essential needs that are best met by the City of Independence,” Walker said. “We hope to engage area public health stakeholders during this transition to determine if there are opportunities to combine efforts and deliver more efficient services to the public.”

Effective March 1, Assistant Community Development Director Mike Jackson will assume part-time duties as Acting Director of Health to facilitate the transition. The Community Development Department will conduct food establishment licensing and inspections, bringing the City closer to its goal of creating a one-stop-shop for business customers. Last year the City consolidated the Rental Ready program, business licensing and liquor licensing into the Regulated Industries division within the Community Development Department.

The Independence Police Department will take over Animal Control Services expanding on their common enforcement mission. Police officers work closely with animal control officers on calls for service involving animals. The change will better integrate resources and policies to best protect public safety and animal welfare.

Utilizing savings from the consolidation and other revenues, two new positions will be recommended in the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department budget to expand community and employee wellness programming. This change would fill a growing need in the community for healthy eating and active living programs.

Other services will be phased out by July 1. Additional information will be provided to the public during the transition about specific service changes.

This week the City notified 13 active employees of their termination dates in accordance with city policies on reductions in force. The City will make every effort to assist these employees with the transition and some may be eligible for transfer or re-hire to other vacant positions within the City.

“The City will work closely with all staff and departments involved to limit the impact on citizens and services provided to our community,” Walker said. “Municipalities across the country are at a crossroads; we are all being forced to make difficult decisions while finding new funding sources. We will continue to be as open with the public as possible throughout the budgeting process.”