There is hereby created the official office of public health authority in the City of DeSoto, Texas. Said position shall be appointed by the city council and shall serve for a term of two (2) years and may be appointed for successive terms. The public health authority may be removed from office prior to expiration of a term by the city council for just cause.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article 6.100, Section 6.101)
The combination of sciences, skills and interventions which are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of the total population, concerned primarily with prevention of disease and injury, in contrast to treatment of the sick and injured. Public health activities principally include the following:
(1) 
Disease surveillance - monitoring the incidence and prevalent of disease.
(2) 
Protection of the general public from preventable diseases through epidemiology, intervention, and reduction of environmental biological hazards.
(3) 
Public health education and promotion of wellness.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article 6.100, Section 6.102)
The public health authority:
(1) 
shall be a competent physician licensed and legally qualified to practice medicine in the State of Texas; and
(2) 
Must be a resident of the City of DeSoto; and
(3) 
Must take and subscribe to an official oath recorded permanently in the office of the city secretary; and
(4) 
Must meet all requirements and qualifications of all applicable state laws adopted herein.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article 6.100, Section 6.103)
Article 4436b, V.A.T.S., entitled the "Local Public Health Reorganization Act" is hereby adopted and all provisions as written and as hereinafter amended are incorporated herein by reference.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article 6.100, Section 6.104)
(a) 
For the purposes of daily supervision and coordination of the work of the public health authority, the public health authority shall report administratively to the city manager.
(b) 
Except for any direct enforcement duties stipulated in the local public health reorganization act as adopted herein, the administrative enforcement of all other public health ordinances and regulations shall be conducted by the city manager or his designated representatives, upon recommendation of the public health authority.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article 6.100, Section 6.105)