Months of negotiation with Nueces County coming to a close
Negotiations to redefine the management of the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District have ended and a new business model was approved by the Nueces County Commissioners Court by a 4-1 vote at a special meeting Monday, Feb. 14. The city will assume control of the health district beginning March 1.
All health district employees will need to reapply for their positions to assure accurate placement of talent, Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni told employees in a video message Feb. 11. Those who are employees of the county will have good protections with carryover of leave time for sick and vacation days, he said. The five Nueces County employees who are close to vesting will be able to continue in the vesting process. Employees may request a copy of the new 10-page contract.
This is the fourth amended cooperative agreement since the public health district was established in 1984.
In October 2021, the Corpus Christi City Council voted unanimously to separate from Nueces County and establish an independent health department. As the eighth-largest city in the state, most cities of Corpus Christi’s size manage their own departments.
In initial negotiations, however, the county showed some resistance to the change. The primary difference in the new model is that it gives the city day-to-day operational control. Originally, the separation was to take place 90 days after the City Council vote, on Jan. 18, but an extension was granted.
At the regular City Council meeting on Feb. 8, when the council reviewed and made revisions to the business proposal in executive cession, Zanoni was given the authority to conclude and finalize the contract as long as no material changes are made.
In the new business model, the county is a customer of the city. The county will pay the city for services rendered.
The city proposes to include expanded services, such as a new clinic in the Calderon building in Robstown and the addition of a rural services mobile clinic.
“We’re excited about this,” said Zanoni in his video message. “It’s a great outcome for three reasons.”
He went on to describe the three foundational reasons for the change: better health outcomes of community; better use of taxpayer dollars for providing critical public health services, and a better work environment.
The new business model also includes a sunset review after two years and then every four years after that. A team consisting of city employees, consultants, personnel appointed by the court, and health care professionals will review programs and services and suggest modifications or changes to the City Council.