The Commissioners shall establish a certificate of need review process to oversee the implementation of the certificate of need program for the county. The review process, including CON applications, shall be established within 120 days of the effective date of this chapter.
(A) Hiring consultant. The Commissioners shall hire a consultant to establish a certificate of need review process. The consultant shall review any and all applications for certificate of need received by the Commissioners. After thorough review, the consultant shall make a recommendation to the Commissioners about the approval or denial of an application for certificate of need. The consultant shall be required to use the guidelines established in the county certificate of need program application review guidelines (Attachment A), a copy of which is located in the office of the County Auditor.
(B) Report to the Commissioners. The consultant shall be required to produce a report to the Commissioners no later than December 31 of each year. This report shall encompass the consultant’s review and findings on the following issues:
(1) The number and type of new health care facilities applying for a CON during the previous year, as well as the cumulative number of applications received to date;
(2) The number of CON issued and to whom; and
(3) A recommendation regarding the continuance of the CON program after analysis and review of the following factors:
(a) Whether the location of a new health care facility or facilities in the county will adversely impinge upon the ability of existing health care facilities to remain financially viable and maintain or improve the quality and quantity of their services to citizens of the county;
(b) Whether a new health care facility or facilities in the county will improve the quality of health care services to all citizens in the county, including low income persons, minorities, the disabled and the elderly;
(c) The challenges facing existing health care facilities in providing quality health care to the citizens of the county; and
(d) Other matters as the consultant shall deem necessary and appropriate to formulate a report and recommendations to the Commissioners.
(C) Approval of consultant’s recommendations. Upon the consultant’s recommendation to the Commissioners regarding the approval or denial of an application for certificate of need, the Commissioners shall approve or deny the recommendation.
(Ord. O-C-06-1, passed - -)