Huron County councilors will discuss a possible merger of the Perth and Huron County Health Units on Wednesday.
The idea first arose in the late 1990s but was put on the shelf in 1996. A consultant’s report in Huron County in 2012 brought the idea forward again and now Huron County councillors will discuss the idea at Committee of Whole Wednesday morning.
Board of Health Chair Joe Steffler says while no decisions have been made yet, the county is trying to find efficiencies to help them balance budgets.
He points out that school boards, Children’s Aid Societies and even the United Way in both communities have merged in the past 15 years.
While she just learned of Huron County’s recent interest this week, the Medical Officer of Health in Perth County, Miriam Klaasen, says the idea will be discussed at Perth’s Board of Health meeting this week.
Steffler says it’s far too early to discuss any job gains or losses for either county or where a merged headquarters might be. Huron County’s health unit is currently based in Clinton. Perth County’s is in Stratford.
Any potential merger would need the approval of both counties as well as the province.
