In a continuing effort to stretch taxpayer dollars, Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino has announced that the Department of Health will save approximately $2 million in rent over the next five years by relocating several health programs into county-owned buildings.

"A few critical adjustments will allow us to significantly reduce our operating costs while still providing essential services for the public," said Astorino. "The moves are part of an ongoing effort to operate county government more efficiently and save taxpayer money."

Effective November 1, the Department of Health will move to a single floor at 145 Huguenot St. in New Rochelle. The county had occupied 56,618 square feet on two floors since 1997, but will now reduce its tenancy to 28,309 square feet.

The health department's divisions of community health, disease control, children with special needs and public health information and communications will remain at 145 Huguenot St. Residents seeking help with obtaining health insurance also should go to the New Rochelle office.

The environmental health division will maintain a presence in New Rochelle, but its main office has moved to Mount Kisco. Additional environmental health staff will also now be located in Peekskill.

"The move allowed us to save money while maintaining the workforce we need to protect the health and safety of the public," said Commissioner of Health Sherlita Amler, MD., who will maintain offices in Mount Kisco and New Rochelle.

Residents and business owners who want to apply for a health department permit, inquire about a violation notice, pay a fine, or seek advice about health department requirements for a restaurant, festival, pool, camp, hotel or motel should now visit either the Mount Kisco or Peekskill office, depending on where their business is located, instead of New Rochelle. Any animals to be dropped off for rabies testing should be brought to the Mount Kisco office. Visit www.westchestergov.com/health for more detailed information.

The Mount Kisco office is located in a county-owned building at 25 Moore Ave. The Peekskill office is located in a county-owned building at 750 Washington St. Both offices are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition, the health department's administration division moved earlier this summer to 10 County Center Road, White Plains.

The health department clinics in Yonkers and White Plains, as well as the Women, Infants and Children offices, will remain in their current locations and have no plans to move.

Upon completion of the relocations, the health department will reduce the amount of space it leases by a total of approximately 24,000 square feet. This includes vacated space leased at 118 N. Bedford Road, Mount Kisco.

For more information, visit us on the web at www.westchestergov.com/health, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wchealthdept or follow us on Twitter at @wchealthdept. Westchester County Department of Health's main number remains (914) 813-5000.