Title
A resolution to authorize destruction of Health Department WIC Records 2007 (DISP 2014-177 HS-Health WIC).
Body
Approve the resolution and direct the Health Department Director and the Records Manager to destroy the records.
Background: This records disposal follows the same model as disposals previously approved by the Commission and applies the Records Management Policy approved in 1998. Kansas law (K.S.A. 45-404(c)) requires that destructions of County records be authorized by the Board of County Commissioners. Approval at this time would free shelf space in the Courthouse Records Center (CRC) to shelve palletized boxes and to accept additional boxes for storage.
Records proposed for destruction total 51 boxes, and are comprised of Woman/Infant/Child (WIC) Chart records. A detailed inventory is available and will be maintained permanently by Records Management as part of the documentation for the destruction case. All records are currently palletized in the CRC.
Analysis: County Records Management Policy is to destroy at the earliest opportunity records identified as: (1) eligible under State law, and (2) lacking continuing value adequate to offset costs to retain and make accessible. Custodian for the records proposed for destruction, Health Department Director Claudia Blackburn, has determined they have no continuing administrative value for operation of the Health Department. Chief Financial Officer Chris Chronis has determined that they have no continuing fiscal value for County operations. The Records Manager has confirmed they are eligible for disposal by destruction, consistent with State retention schedules, and finds that they lack identifiable research value adequate to offset costs. WSU Curator of Special Collections/University Archivist Dr. Lorraine Madway, who serves as an independent reviewer for archival value, agrees they lack substantive research value and concurs in the recommendation to destroy. The County Counselor has confirmed these records no longer are needed to represent the County’s legal interests.
Due to the fact that WIC records contain protected health information (PHI), the Records Manager recommends that these records be destroyed by shredding.
The resolution also would authorize the Health Director and the Records Manager to destroy any records or duplicates, regardless of format or media, that may be found in the future that can be identified as the records series listed on the inventory and that fall within the time periods listed or previous.
Alternatives: These records could continue to be retained, either in whole or in part, which would also continue associated costs to store and make accessible.
Financial Considerations: One-time fees for the commercial vendor to destroy are estimated at $76.50 ($1.50 per box). Finance has identified funds available within 380665-14 sufficient to pay destruction fees.
Legal Considerations: The authority for this action is K.S.A. 45-401 et seq. A simple majority vote is required.
Policy Considerations: The recommended action would apply existing policy.