A north Salina organization supports a joint city-county health department.

According to North Salina Community Development, members met Thursday night at their regular monthly meeting and passed a resolution in full support of the City/County Health Department operated by a joint coalition agreement.

Those in attendance thought the current public health program was beneficial to the community and were concerned that without a cooperative operation, the result would be an eventual cut in health services and adverse effects which will negatively impact low income residents and all residents of Saline County, said Barb Young, chair of the organization.

They were also concerned about eventual loss in benefits for current health care employees and that the lack of a joint operating agreement would necessitate an increase in local taxes to cover increased costs of operating under one department, said Young.

North Salina Community Development is an organization of citizens and business owners with a goal of enhancing the community and providing more opportunities for economic development.