Bloomingdale opts to have Passaic County oversee its health services
By: David M. Zimmer
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Passaic County is overseeing public helaht services in Bloomingdale under a new shared services agreement that began January 1. [2025]
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The 10-year deal is projected to save Bloomingdale's taxpayer more than $300,000 over its duration, while incorporating the borough's public health operations into the larger county infrastructure, officials said.
..... Officially, the new agreement shifts responsibility for Bloomingdale's health programs to Passaic County's Department of Health Services, which is already managing operation in five other towns: Haledon, Prospect Park, Waneque, West Milford and Woodland Park. The department's division include environmental health, communicable disease response and health education. Bloomingdale Mayor John D'Amato said the agreement is "not only saving taxpayer dollars but also ensuring our residents have access to top-tier health services." It brings an end to the town's former deal for health services with Pequannock in Morris County. Work to solidify the transition, including food establishment, setting up new permitting protocols and updating the borough website with new contact information, has long been underway, borough recored s show.
..... The bough's health services operation will use existing facilities at Bloomingdale's municipal complex under the agreement. However, there could be future facility enhancements if they are deemed necessary, officials said.
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John Bartlett, the director of the Board of County Commissioners, said the agreement with Bloomingdale underscores the county's commitment to providing more cost-efficient services to county residents. "Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality health services," Bartlett said. "With our infrastructure, expertise and partnerships, we're confident this collaboration will be a model for shared services in New Jersey." the agreement with Bloomingdale's local governments dovetails with an ongoing county effort to establish a new satellite health office in West Milford. That new office, which is being leased from West Milford's local government and improved at a cost of more than $5 million, is part of a broader effort to streamline public heath services and improve access for Bloomingdale residents and other northern municipalities in Passaic County.
..... The effort was supported by Charlene Williams-Gungil, the county's retiring health officer and director of helaht services, Gungil, a 15-year county employee, played a key role in expanding training programs for employees and access to health services for residents. County health services and secure partnerships save the county government more than $1 million per year for a decade and made the county a leader in COVID-19 response.