TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Revised Interlocal Agreement Between Charlotte County and the City of North Port Relating to the Sharing of Employee Health Centers.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the revised Interlocal Agreement between Charlotte County and the City of North Port relating to the sharing of Employee Health Centers.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the revised Interlocal Agreement between Charlotte County and the City of North Port relating to the sharing of Employee Health Centers.
• Pros: Approving the revised Interlocal Agreement will expand City employees’ access to convenient, high-quality healthcare through Charlotte County’s existing health centers and the City’s planned Employee Health Center. The City’s Employee Health Center is currently in the design phase, with remodeling expected to begin soon. The partnership will also provide access to an onsite full-service pharmacy and support preventive care, timely treatment, employee wellness, and potential healthcare cost savings.
• Cons: Not approving the revised Interlocal Agreement would eliminate the opportunity to partner with Charlotte County and access its established health center and access to their onsite full-service pharmacy. It would also limit opportunities for shared healthcare services and potential cost savings while the City develops its own Employee Health Center.
Option 2: Deny the revised Interlocal Agreement between Charlotte County and City of North Port relating to the sharing of Employee Health Centers.
• Pros: Denying the revised Interlocal Agreement revisions would allow the City to retain exclusive use of its Employee Health center and not share the City’s facility with Charlotte County employees.
• Cons: Denying the revisions would require the City to develop a new operational model while contracted work to remodel the Employee Health Center is already underway. This could result in additional operational costs and potential increases in healthcare expenses. The City would also lose access to the shared resources contemplated through the partnership, including Charlotte County’s established health centers and onsite full-service pharmacy.
Background Information
The Interlocal Agreement was previously approved by the North Port City Commission at a Regular Meeting on June 9, 2026. When presented to the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners for execution, the County requested additional language clarifying that the specific locations to be shared would be determined after the City’s employee health center is open and fully operational. That additional clarifying language has been incorporated into the proposed revised Interlocal Agreement and is being brought back to the City Commission for consideration.
As outlined in the June 9, 2026 approved agenda item, the proposed partnership provides City employees access to Charlotte County’s established health centers and onsite full-service pharmacy, while allowing Charlotte County employees access to the City’s employee health center. The partnership is intended to improve access to convenient, cost-effective healthcare, support employee wellness, and provide potential savings in healthcare, workers’ compensation, occupational health, and pharmacy costs.
The City’s Employee Health Center is currently in the design phase, with remodeling expected to begin soon. The requested language provides that the City’s Employee Health Center will be included among the shared locations once it is operational, allowing the County to ensure its existing health centers can adequately manage the anticipated volume of employees accessing the shared facilities.
The revised Interlocal Agreement between Charlotte County and the City of North Port regarding the sharing of Employee Health Centers has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The revised Interlocal Agreement between Charlotte County and the City of North Port regarding the sharing of Employee Health Centers will be provided to the City Clerk’s Office, for signature, prior to the October 20, 2026, City Commission Regular Meeting, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
The revised Interlocal Agreement has no direct financial impact to the City, as all operations will be managed under a separate third-party Administrative Services Agreement. The expanded access this Agreement provides may result in additional savings to the City. There may be staff that utilize the locations in Charlotte County that otherwise would not use the Employee Health Center in North Port and choose to go to a higher cost healthcare facility for services.
Procurement
The revised Interlocal Agreement is in accordance with Chapter 2 - Administration, Article VIII. - Procurement, Section 2-403. - Exemptions (a) (2) Procurement Contracts between the city and nonprofit organizations, other governments, or other public entities of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida.
Attachments:
1. Revised Interlocal Agreement
Prepared by: Sandy Knowles, Assistant Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
Department Director: Christine V. McDade, SHRM-CP, PHR, CPM, Director of Human Resources