Regulatory enforcement and fiscal impact in local health agencies

J.F. Costich, K.M. Rabarison and M.K. Rabarison

American Journal of Public Health, 2015, vol. 105, S323-S329

Abstract: Objectives: We used a cross-sectional, retrospective study design to analyze the association between local health agency regulatory activities and revenues from nonclinical fees and fines (NFF). Methods: We extracted data from the 2010 National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Profile Survey, the most recent report including NFF information, and used 2-part multivariable regression models to identify relationships between regulatory activities and revenue. We also interviewed LHD directors on access to revenue from fines. Results: NFFs generated substantial revenue for most LHDs, increasing in scope and amount with jurisdiction size for all but the largest municipalities. The greatest proportion of net revenue came from public pools, campgrounds and recreational vehicles, and solid waste disposal. For small and mid-sized LHDs, enforcement activities generated revenue in a dose-response pattern, with higher returns for increased activities. LHDs in decentralized governance states collectedmore NFF revenue than those in centralized states. States vary regarding LHD access to revenue from sanctions. Conclusions: The fiscal impact of changes in regulatory activity needs careful assessment to avoid unanticipated consequences of applicable law.

Keywords: cross-sectional study; economics; government; human; legislation and jurisprudence; public health service; retrospective study, Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Local Government; Public Health Administration; Retrospective Studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302446

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.302446_1

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302446

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().