Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Rebecca MacDougall
Department: Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the Medical Examiner Grants grant fund for the amount of $135,355, for the purpose of supporting prevention activities and in collecting accurate, comprehensive, and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses and in using those data to enhance programmatic and surveillance efforts.
ACTION: (T-11:15 AM) Approved Resolution No. 2025-204.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Davis was inaudible during the vote.
B. MOTION TO ADJUST personnel cap to 6,834 positions to add one new grant-funded forensic epidemiologist position to collect and analyze overdose data, communicate surveillance results to stakeholders at state and local levels, and support overdose surveillance objectives. This position will expire at the conclusion of the grant.
ACTION: (T-11:15 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Davis was inaudible during the vote.
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Why Action is Necessary
Motions A. Section 129.06(2)(d), requires Board approval for revenue not anticipated in the budget.
Motion B. Section 20.8(b), Broward County Administrative Code, requires Commission approval to increase the personnel cap.
What Action Accomplishes
Adjust the personnel cap by adding one grant-funded forensic epidemiologist position at the Medical Examiner’s Office to collect and analyze overdose data, communicate surveillance results to stakeholders at state and local levels, and support overdose surveillance objectives under the Overdose Data to Action Surveillance and Prevention Implementation Project.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
The Board approved the grant Agreement at the February 11, 2025, meeting (Agenda Item No. 9).
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER AND TRAUMA SERVICES RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE ACTION.
This item supports the Board’s Accountable Government goal of consistently delivering responsive, efficient, inclusive, and equitable quality services to the public and internal customers while providing a safe community to live, work and visit.
FDOH is a recipient of grant funds from the Center for Disease Control for the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program, which supports jurisdictions in implementing prevention activities and in collecting accurate, comprehensive, and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses and in using those data to enhance programmatic and surveillance efforts.
Approval of this item will support the state Overdose Data to Action Surveillance and Prevention Implementation Project by funding a forensic epidemiologist position at the Medical Examiner’s Office to collect and analyze overdose data, communicate surveillance results to stakeholders at state and local levels, and support overdose surveillance objectives.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Rebecca MacDougall, Director, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, 954-357-5209
Thomas Steinkamp, Chief of Investigative Services, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, 954-357-5237
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Appropriation of grant funding the amount of $135,355 for the purpose of supporting prevention activities and in collecting accurate, comprehensive, and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses and in using those data to enhance programmatic and surveillance efforts. The new grant position will be a full-time forensic epidemiologist. One hundred percent (100%) of the cost of this position will be paid from the grant. The position will be terminated if future funding is discontinued.