Item 4T - MemoCITY OF
SOUTH LAKE
MEMORANDUM
To: City Council
From: Dennis Killough, AICP — Director of Planning & Development Services
Date: November 28, 2023
Subject: Approve an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Tarrant County for food
establishment and public swimming pool and spa inspection program services
Action
Requested: Approve an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Tarrant County for food
establishment and public swimming pool and spa inspection program services.
Approval of the ILA will necessitate updates to Ordinance No. 1023, regarding
Public Swimming Pools and Spas and Ordinance No. 1028, regarding Food
Establishments.
Background
Information: Tarrant County provides food establishment and public swimming pool and spa
inspection program services for several cities in the county, including the City of
Southlake. Tarrant County provides these services through an Interlocal
Agreement, as authorized in Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code.
Southlake's current Interlocal Agreement with Tarrant County was executed in
1996, and the County is now requesting approval of an updated ILA to reflect
changing fees and regulatory requirements. Tarrant County provides these
inspection services at no cost to the City — health permit fees are paid by permit
applicants directly to Tarrant County Public Health.
Southlake's current ILA specifies a dollar amount for Tarrant County's permit and
inspection fees. The proposed ILA has broader language that simply requires the
city to agree that health permit fees are enforceable within 30 days of approval
by the Tarrant County Commissioner's Court. Southlake's adopted fee schedule
already defers to the Tarrant County Department of Public Health fee schedule
for "Food Program" and "Swimming Pool, Spa, and Interactive Water Feature "
permits and inspections. With the proposed ILA, Southlake will not need to
approve a new ILA when Tarrant County Public Health revises their fees.
Further, the proposed ILA updates references to state rules.
Additional details about the inspections Tarrant County provides are outlined
below:
Food Inspections
Tarrant County requires an annual permit for all establishments providing
potentially hazardous food, or open food, to the public. The County also requires
inspections to ensure compliance with the Texas Food Establishment
Regulations and to verify individual food handlers are trained in food safety as
required by law. Establishments are usually inspected twice a year
(unannounced). Some low -risk establishments may be dropped to once per year
and high -risk or repeat violators are placed on more frequent inspection
schedules. Tarrant County also conducts complaint investigations, provides
signs to be posted at establishments that do meet required standards, and
documents inspection activities via periodic reports. Currently, Tarrant County
manages 349 food facility permits for the City of Southlake.
Public Swimming Pool and Spa Inspections
Tarrant County permits and inspects public swimming pools, spas, and Public
Interactive Water Features (PIWF) for compliance with state regulations.
Typically, two inspections are performed per pool, spa, or PIWF. Currently,
Tarrant County manages 33 permits in the "pool, spa, and water feature"
category for the City of Southlake.
Financial
Considerations: None. Health permit fees are paid by permit applicants directly to Tarrant County
Public Health. These fees fully fund program costs.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: Due to the limited scope of this request, this item was not presented to SPIN or
the Corridor Planning Committee. Upon approval by Southlake City Council, the
ILA will then be placed on the Tarrant County Commissioner's Court agenda for
approval.
City Council:
Alternatives: City Council may approve or deny the ILA with Tarrant County.
Attachments: Existing Interlocal Agreement
Proposed Interlocal Agreement
Tarrant County's Presentation
City of Southlake Staff Presentation
Staff Contacts: Jenny Crosby (817) 748-8195
Dennis Killough (817) 748-8072