W. Va. Code R. § 64-108-4

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 64-108-4 - Application Review

4.1. Upon receipt of the application, the director will review the application and supporting materials to ensure completeness.

4.2. Applications that are determined to be complete will be submitted to the commissioner for review. Applicants will be notified if an application is determined to be incomplete, along with a request to provide the incomplete information or documentation. An application that remains incomplete for 45 days will result in a denial of the application.

4.3. The commissioner will evaluate applications using the following criteria:

4.3.a.Degree to which the service area meets or exceeds the minimum and maximum efficiency scale of 100,000 to 500,000 populations. While a minimum population of 100,000 is not a requirement necessary for the approval of an application, plans of combination should strive to achieve a combined population base within the minimum and maximum efficiency scale of 100,000 to 500,000 population. The commissioner acknowledges that in many parts of the state a minimum efficiency of a service population of 100,000 is unachievable. The intent of this criteria is only to maximize the potential for achieving cost efficiency in service delivery, consistent performance of duties relating to basic public health services and other health services, and the enforcement of the laws of this state pertaining to public health;

4.3.b.Contiguous counties or municipalities, or both. Applicants seeking approval to combine must be contiguous. These criteria are intended to exploit the geographic proximity of local boards of health and transportation corridors, thus ensuring as much as possible a cultural fit, which in addition to other factors related to the contiguousness of the combining boards of health, strengthen the qualitative aspects of basic public health services;

4.3.c.Demonstrated commitment of appointing authorities. Signed resolutions of commitment to consolidate from each participating appointing authority (county commission or municipalities, or both) and formation of a mechanism or body to provide oversight of planning process;

4.3.d.Evidence of public engagement. Agendas and summary of public comments from public hearings;

4.3.e.Evidence of engagement with contiguous local boards of health. Proximity of jurisdictions within the proposed consolidation impacts to surrounding jurisdictions. Applications for combination must include contiguous counties and an assessment of interest to consolidate must be conducted with all surrounding jurisdictions. This criterion is intended to exploit the geographic proximity of local boards of health and transportation corridors, thus ensuring as much as possible a cultural fit, which in addition to other factors related to the contiguousness of the combining boards of health, strengthen the qualitative aspects of basic public health services; and

4.3.f.Evidence of a comprehensive work plan. A comprehensive plan that guides the process of transitioning to and sustaining a combined board of health. The plan must demonstrate that the combination of the local boards of health will ensure the consistent performance of duties related to basic public health services and other health services and the enforcement of the laws of this state pertaining to public health.

4.4. Upon a review of the application and the supporting materials the commissioner may approve, disapprove, or approve the application with conditions.

W. Va. Code R. § 64-108-4