City Optimistic About Health Department Merger

Wednesday, March 06, 2013 - 4:38 AM

Findlay officials are optimistic about a merger between the city and county health departments. Service-Safety Director Paul Schmelzer tells the Courier, "I think we can get there this time." Schmelzer says the key may be the issue of accreditation. The state of Ohio may require all health boards to be accredited within the next five years, and Schmelzer says he believes there's a "renewed sense of urgency" by the county to make sure county residents have access to an accredited agency.

The council that oversees the county's Health Department voted unanimously Monday to begin talks with Findlay about creating a single agency capable of serving 75,000 people. The same council had voted against a merger in 2010.

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