Pad 505

The Operating Budget: New Hanover County Budget Department-Health Department

Tracy Hudson

Dr. Joseph Keller

PAD505: Public Budgeting and Finance

28 July 2013

Introduction

Agency Background Information:

An ordinance creating a Wilmington Health Department was passed in June 1877. That same

month, the New Hanover Court Board of Health was formed as an auxiliary to the state Board of

Health. Dr. William Walter was appointed the chairman of the organization. It became an official

county department in 1879. The Health Department provides quality healthcare, preventive

medical and dental services and environmental protection for New Hanover County citizens. It is

one of the first accredited Health Departments in the State of North Carolina and was

reaccredited in 2008. New Hanover County has a long-standing commitment to sound financial

management. The County’s financial and budgetary policies provide the framework for fiscal

management and financial decisions of the County. These policies receive regular updates to

ensure their continued usefulness as a guide for decision making. The sound financial

management of the County’s resources is achieved by the County Manager following the

consistent and coordinated approach provided by the financial and budgetary policies.

Agency Mission:

The mission of the New Hanover County Health Department is to assure a safe and healthy

Community. This mission is accomplished through assessing the health needs of the community

and establishing health objectives to maintain essential personal, family, animal, community and

environmental health services (New Hanover County, Adopted Budget 2012)

Agency Goals:

The goal of this group is to increase marketing and community education for the Health

Department and the vision of the New Hanover County Health Department is Healthy...