HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-02 - Res. Requesting the Maintenance and Support of Foundational Public Health Services FundingRESOLUTION NO. 26-02
A Resolution Requesting the Maintenance and Support of Foundational Public Health
Services Funding
WHEREAS, a responsive and viable governmental public health system is essential for healthy and
economically vital communities across Washington; and,
WHEREAS, protecting the public's health across the state is a fundamental responsibility of the state,
which is accomplished through the state's governmental public health system. This system comprises the state
department of health, the state board of health, local health jurisdictions, sovereign tribal nations, and Indian
health programs; and,
WHEREAS, Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) are core services that the governmental
public health system is responsible for providing consistently and uniformly in every community in
Washington; and,
WHEREAS, like public safety, public utilities, and other public infrastructure, there is a foundational
level of public health services that must exist everywhere for services to work anywhere; and,
WHEREAS, the governmental public health system in Washington provides the foundation for the
larger health care framework, working to prevent illness and disease while supporting the work of community
partners; and,
WHEREAS, tracking, responding to, and preventing costly food and water contamination and disease
outbreaks is essential to protecting the public’s health; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Legislature passed HB 1947, which codified the governmental public health
system, the Foundational Public Health Services framework, and support to rebuild and transform public health
in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature has established the Foundational Public Health Services Account, and
invested $300 million in the 2026-2027 biennium to the governmental public health system to implement
Foundational Public Health Services; and
WHEREAS, the $1,700,000 that Mason County Public Health receives is vital to providing those
services that no other agency can perform in Mason County; and
WHEREAS, FPHS funding supports the protection of water quality that is essential to having a vibrant
and thriving shellfish industry in Mason County; and
WHEREAS, without maintaining ongoing, stable, and dedicated funding for core public health
services, our communities are left unprepared for emergencies like hazardous air from wildfires, vulnerable to
the spread of communicable diseases like measles, and unprotected from health threats such as contaminated
drinking water; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has proposed a reduction of $29 million in the 2026 Supplemental Budget;
and,
WHEREAS, supporting core public health services today is critical to keeping communities healthy,
strong, and resilient to threats and emergencies for future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mason County Board of Health calls on the
Washington state legislature to recognize that public health is essential and maintain Foundational Public
Health Services funding and fix vapor tax errors that support the Foundational Public Health Services Account,
to support core services in all communities and allow public health to continue to rebuild its statewide system
with added efficiency.
DATED this 27th day of January, 2026.
ATTEST
McKenzie Smith, Clerk of the Board
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Pamela Schlauderaff, Hospital District #1
Eric Onisko, City Councilmember
Pat Tarzwell, Commissioner
Randy Neatherlin, Commissioner
Sharon Trask, Commissioner
Peggy Van Buskirk, Hospital District #2
Sneha Gunda, Squaxin Island Health Director
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