To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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Life Jacket Donations to Loan Stations to Promote Public Safety in and Around the Waterways of Humboldt County
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Find that the purchasing of life jackets to donate to local businesses or agencies who agree to loan them to the public for free is in the public interest and serves the public purpose of protecting and promoting public health by reducing the risk of drowning; and
2. Authorize the Director of Public Health or their designated representative to make the determination to gift life jackets as needed and appropriate to businesses or agencies.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds (1175-434)
DISCUSSION:
From 2010 to 2020, forty-one people died as a result of drowning in Humboldt County. Local waterways are very cold and have swift currents, making it impossible to stay afloat without a life jacket in many situations. Most drownings could have been prevented if a life jacket had been worn by the victim. In recent years, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)-Public Health has publicized the availability of life jackets through unstaffed loan stations located at or near many of the county’s most popular water recreation locations.
In lieu of this distribution method, DHHS-Public Health is requesting your Board’s approval to provide life jackets to local businesses or agencies willing to loan them to the public at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis. These stations will offer various sizes of life jackets from infant to adult in limited quantities, to be replenished by DHHS Public Health when funding is available. The goals of this program are to increase life jacket availability in the community while decreasing staff time and involvement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1175, 434) |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$500 |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$500 |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Funding Sources (1175,434) |
FY23-24 Projected* |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
MSA - General Fund |
$500 |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$500 |
$500 |
$500 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
Approval of this life jacket donation will allow DHHS-Public Health to provide life jackets to local businesses that will loan them to the public at no cost. The estimated annual cost is $500 for Fiscal Year 23-24 in Fund 1175, Budget Unit 434 and was included in the proposed budget. This cost will be included in future years annual budget cycles.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
There is no dedicated staff time to this program and time commitment will be minimal to purchase and distribute the life jackets.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework priority of creating opportunities for improved safety and health, protecting vulnerable populations, providing community-appropriate levels of service, facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems, and fostering transparent, accessible, welcoming, and user-friendly services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may find that the donation of life jackets does not serve the public interest and further a public purpose and may choose to not allow the donation to local businesses or agencies. However, this is not recommended as it would not allow for implementing a prevention mechanism for drowning deaths within the county.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A