1. (1) A county governing body may elect to:

   1. (a) form a united local health department for the purpose of combining into a single entity the duties of:

      1. (i) the local health department;
      2. (ii) the mental health authority; and
      3. (iii) the substance abuse authority; and
   2. (b) provide for the coordination of services for the populations served by the entities described in Subsection (1)(a).

2. (2)

   1. (a) Two or more contiguous counties may, by executing an agreement pursuant to the provisions of Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act, unite to create and maintain a multicounty united local health department.
   2. (b) Any municipalities within counties comprising a multicounty united local health department under Subsection (2)(a) shall be served by the multicounty united local health department.

3. (3) A united local health department created under this section shall administer the programs and services of each entity listed in Subsections (1)(a) in accordance with:

   1. (a) this chapter; and
   2. (b) Title 17, Chapter 77, Local Health and Human Services.

4. (4)

   1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 26A-1-110:

      1. (i) the county governing body shall, in consultation with the board, appoint an executive director for a united local health department and determine the executive director's compensation; and
      2. (ii) the county governing bodies of a multicounty united local health department shall, in consultation with the board, appoint an executive director for the multicounty local health department and determine the executive director's compensation.

   2. (b) An executive director appointed under Subsection (4)(a):

      1. (i) shall serve as the local health officer; and
      2. (ii) may be removed for cause under Section 26A-1-111.

5. (5) The treasurer of a united local health department may establish and maintain funds in addition to the local health department fund established under Section 26A-1-119, if the additional fund is necessary to:

   1. (a) provide substance abuse authority services or mental health authority services; and
   2. (b) comply with federal regulation or federal statute.

Amended by Chapter 16, 2025 Special Session 1