To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
prepared
Michelle Halstead, Director Commissioners’ Office
end
presenter
Presenter: Dr. John Douglas, Tri-County Health Department; Communications Manager Chris Henning; Arapahoe County; Emergency Manager Nate Fogg, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
end
Subject:
title
1:00 PM *Discussion of opt-out provision in the Tri-County Health Department school mask order dated August 18, 2021, and potential BOCC action regarding same
end
Purpose and Request:
recommended action
This is an informational session for the Board of County Commissioners to obtain more information and discuss the current COVID-19 pandemic within Arapahoe County, the Tri-County Health Department’s public health order, the opt-out provision, and constituent feedback to date.
end
Background and Discussion: On August 17, 2021, the Tri-County Health Department Board of Health voted to direct Dr. John Douglas to put a Public Health Order in place requiring masking for staff and children in childcares and schools serving students 11 and younger. The public health order (attached to this BSR) was effective August 23, 2021.
The public health order included an opt-out provision, consistent with Board of Health policy, that a County within TCHD’s jurisdiction may, by written resolution of its governing body, opt-out of the application and enforcement of this Order by September 1, 2021. A County’s decision to opt-out of the Order does not preclude any individual school district, school, or child care facility from following this Order or adopting the provisions of this Order as their own policy or rule.
To streamline and consolidate constituent feedback on this topic, the County created a feedback form on its website. This information - compiled with received emails and additional stakeholder outreach - will be shared with Commissioners as well.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Alternatives: The Board could decide to opt-out Arapahoe County from the public health order, opt-out portions of the County from the public health order, or decline to opt-out from the public health order.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☐Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: N/A.
Concurrence: N/A.