Subject:
Title
Contract with the State of Florida Department of Health for the operation of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the contract with the State of Florida Department of Health for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 operation of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas (DOH Pinellas).
• The contract provides direct ad valorem support to the State of Florida Department of Health pursuant to Chapter 154, Florida Statutes, for the operation of DOH Pinellas to promote, protect, maintain, and improve the health and safety of all citizens and visitors through a system of coordinated county health departments.
• Services maintained by the DOH Pinellas include environmental health services, communicable disease control, prevention services, primary care services, and School Nurse Programs. During the first three quarters of FY26 (October - June), DOH Pinellas provided services to 65,315 clients.
• County funding supports 132 full-time employees, including approximately 43 full-time equivalent school nursing positions throughout the County. The full-time employees funded through this contract provide services related to the Pinellas County Health Department. The County’s total contribution is $8,268,810, which includes $6,225,490 (75.3%) for core services and $2,043,320 (24.7%) for the School Nurse Program. Since October 1, 2025, the School Nurse Program has provided approximately 548,302 services.
• Funding in an amount not to exceed $8,268,810.00 has been included in the Adopted FY27 Budget in the Health Department Fund. These funds are generated by a dedicated millage rate of 0.0713 mills levied countywide as adopted at the Second Public Budget Hearing on September 24, 2026. The State’s appropriated responsibility is an amount not to exceed $24,130,425 to fund operations. The County’s share includes $6,225,490.00 for core services and $2,043,320.00 for the School Nurse Program.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
Summary
This Contract is for the annual contract to support DOH Pinellas with funds generated by a dedicated millage rate levied countywide. The State periodically requests amendments to the contract based on state and federal funding adjustments. The County’s share includes $6,225,490.00 for core services and $2,043,320.00 for the School Nurse Program.
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Background Information:
This Contract provides direct ad valorem support to the State of Florida Department of Health for the operation of DOH Pinellas locally, pursuant to Chapter 154 Florida Statutes, which states that the intent of the Legislature is to “promote, protect, maintain and improve the health and safety of all citizens and visitors of the State through a system of coordinated county health departments.” County health departments satisfy legislative intent through the promotion of the public’s health, as well as the control and eradication of preventable diseases and the provision of primary health care for special populations. Services maintained by DOH Pinellas include environmental health services, communicable disease control services, and primary care services.
During the first three quarters of FY26 (October-June), DOH Pinellas provided services to 65,315 clients. Communicable disease services were provided to 41,273 clients; environmental health services were provided to 5,002 clients; and primary care services, including disease prevention, tobacco intervention, Healthy Start, School Health, and other programs, were provided to 23,515 clients. The School Nurse Program has provided approximately 548,302 services since October 1, 2025. This does not include Pinellas County Health Program clients.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in the amount of $8,268,810.00 is included in the FY27 Budget in the Health Department Fund. These funds are generated by a dedicated millage rate of 0.0713 mills levied countywide.
The State’s appropriated responsibility is an amount not to exceed $24,130,425.00.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
DOH Pinellas
Attachments:
FY27 Contract