2018/11/07 Council Agenda Packet

City of Everett Page 3 ru However, without securing ongoing, stable, and dedicated funding for foundational public health services, our communities are left unprepared for public health emergencies;vulnerable to the spread of communicable diseases; at risk for food, water, and environmental health threats; and without resources to adequately track data critical to identifying and responding to emerging threats. That is why a joint request from all 35 local health jurisdictions,the Washington State Department of Health,the State Board of Health, and tribal public health agencies has been made to Governor Inslee. A study was conducted—as requested by the legislature—to quantify the gap between existing and needed resources.To fully fund communicable disease prevention and response, environmental health services not covered by fees, assessment, and infrastructure capabilities like IT and communications,the system-wide gap was identified as $296 million per biennium.This FPHS funding request will be a major initiative this coming legislative session, and our governmental public health system remains confident that we will be successful in the request. In the meantime, I am humbly asking for your support in two ways: contributing$2 per capita for one more year to help bridge the gap until the legislature acts,and join us in advocating for sustainable public health funding at the state level so that your limited resources in 2020 can be refocused toward other local priorities.Attached is Resolution 18-20 passed by the Board of Health of the Snohomish Health District calling on the Washington State Legislature to fund public health. We understand each city has different resources and needs.While the funding is important,the relationship is more so.Any investment will pay dividends for the public's health.The staff at the Snohomish Health District take great pride in being a lean and scrappy public health agency. We deliver a strong return on investment while keeping our population safe from disease and injury. If you have questions,please contact me at iketchel@snohd.org or on my mobile at(425)512-6294. Sincerely, ;1111/ /4-- • Jefferson Ketchel, MA, RS Administrator cc: Everett City Council Honorable Brian Sullivan,Snohomish County Council Dr. Mark Beatty, Health Officer Heather Thomas, Public&Government Affairs Manager Att: 2018 Opioid Overdose 7-day Point-in-Time Summary Resolution 18-20 Building a Culture of Quality Fact Sheet 15