Butler County commissioners are in discussions with several counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania regarding the creation of a regional health department.

Leslie Osche, commissioners chairwoman, said the county is interested in improved communication and more local control of health-related situations in the county, particularly a pandemic.

Because no county health department exists, Butler County uses the state Department of Health (DOH).

Osche said any decision to participate in a regional health department should be undertaken carefully, as responsibilities such as restaurant inspections, air quality, environmental services and other required services could cost millions. The commissioners did not name any of the other counties that were in discussions about the regional health department's creation.

Osche said should the county stick with the DOH, she wants a county liaison for Butler County when big decisions are being made for business, residents and organizations.

Osche also wants the county's actions during a pandemic guided by local health authorities such as Butler Health System and the county Area Agency on Aging.

The Agency on Aging could provide assistance for group care homes in a health emergency, she said, and a county agency could perform contact tracing in a pandemic.

“We are just looking for solutions,” Osche said.

She pointed out that although Butler County has a pandemic plan, it was never used because the DOH made all the decisions for Butler County during the pandemic.

Osche said the group of counties from Southwestern Pennsylvania continue to have discussions on the feasibility of forming a regional health department, and will follow up with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) regarding ways for counties to engage with the DOH in public health emergencies.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said the CCAP is now looking into the idea of counties forming regional health departments rather than relying on the DOH.