Merged North Shore Health Department Nearly Done Deal

Shorewood village officials approved an intergovernmental agreement Monday to consolidate health services with six other North Shore communities.

The agreement approved by the Village Board will now be circulated to the other participating municipalities including the city of Glendale and villages of Bayside, Brown Deer, Fox Point, River Hills and Whitefish Bay for approval no later than July 8, Trustee Patrick Linnane said.

"There has been some great discussion between communities," Linnane added.

The merged health department would be implemented January 1 next year.

The agreement calls for a joint Health Board with representation from each community including a Village Board member or Common Council member from each municipality. A certified medical officer would serve as the eight member appointed by the board of health for a two-year term.

Trustee Patrick Linnane said at a previous meeting that while North Shore municipalities won’t realize any financial relief, a merged health department would be able to compete for more grants, as it would serve a larger population base. He said the move would allow for more staff, but what is important is it would allow some health staff to develop specific expertise, which is something the health department can't do currently.

North Shore residents will still have their pick between two health department locations, the current Shorewood/Whitefish Health Department located in Shorewood and North Shore Health Department will remain open in Brown Deer under an agreement.

Current Shorewood/Whitefish Bay Health Department Director Jamie Berg would take over the director of the North Shore department as its current director is retiring next week.