Memorandum
Date: February 25, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Anthony Arton, Health Services Director
Subject: EXTRA ITEM - (a) Consideration of “extra” agenda item, and (b) Consideration of Alternate Public Health Officer Appointment and Professional Services Contract with Anju Goel, MD, MPH for a Term of Six Months for an Amount not to Exceed $31,000 for the Term of the Agreement and Authorize the Health Services Director to Sign
Executive Summary:
(a) We respectfully request your Board’s consideration of this “extra” agenda item as staff was unable to meet with the recommended contractor to discuss possible contract terms until after the posting of this agenda. This matter is of some urgency as our Health Officer, Dr. Doohan, is currently on leave.
(b) On August 15, 2023, your Board ratified the Agreement for Services, and on September 1, 2023, appointed Noemi Doohan, MD, MPH, PhD to the role of Public Health Officer ensuring that ongoing public health mandates for services would continue. And on June 4, 2024, your Board amended that Agreement to extend the contract term until August 31, 2025.
Appointing a contracted Alternate Public Health Officer will ensure continuity and effectiveness of our department's operations in the event that Dr. Doohan is temporarily unavailable. This measure reinforces our commitment to community health and safety and is essential to the department in meeting regulatory, strategic, and emergency response obligations.
After being declined by three potential contractors for reasons such as conflicting obligations, and potential reimbursement rates, and reaching out to two others via email with mixed responses, Dr. Goel was recommended to us.
Dr. Goel is very qualified for this role. She brings extensive experience as an Interim Health Officer in California and has served as an independent medical doctor for the CDC. Her deep expertise in public health makes her an ideal candidate to provide the necessary support.
After careful review, staff recommends appointing Anju Goel, M.D., M.P.H., as the Alternate Public Health Officer for the County of Lake from February 25, 2025, through August 25, 2025, to provide Alternate Public Health Officer coverage.
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Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
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☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
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Recommended Action: (a) Approve the “extra” agenda item as staff was unable to meet with the recommended contractor to discuss possible contract terms until after the posting of this agenda.
(b) Approve Alternate Public Health Officer Appointment and Professional Services Contract with Anju Goel, MD, MPH for a Term of Six Months for an Amount not to Exceed $31,000 for the Term of the Agreement and Authorize the Health Services Director to Sign.