WOULD BE A STATE PURPOSE UNDER THE PLAIN INTENT OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 9, OF THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION. THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THAT SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, A COUNTY MAY NOT USE THE PROCEEDS OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THESE PURPOSES.
BECAUSE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE FUNDED BY COUNTY MONIES, PURSUANT TO 63 O.S. 1-208 (1991), PART OF WHICH WOULD COME FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION, THE USE OF THESE FUNDS, OR THE STAFF AND FACILITIES SUPPORTED THEREBY, WOULD VIOLATE ARTICLE X, SECTION 9 OF THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION. THIS CONSTRUCTION WAS PREVIOUSLY MADE BY THIS OFFICE IN A. G. OPIN. NO. 83-210.
IT IS, THEREFORE, THE OPINION OF THE UNDERSIGNED ATTORNEY THAT THE CLEVELAND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MAY NOT USE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FUNDS OBTAINED FROM AD VALOREM TAXES OR STAFF AND FACILITIES SUPPORTED BY AD VALOREM TAXES TO MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT THE OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
(JAMES ROBERT JOHNSON)