2022-03-29 Health Officer contract discussionsHealth Officer contract discussions
(Joint meeting of the Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Health)
March 29, 2022
8:30 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Meja Handlen, Tailor Arrington, Becky Butler, Austin Majors, JP Anderson, Heidi Palmer, Tammy
Martin, Dr. Steven Krager, Jami Lund, Rebekah Miner, Beth Rohr, John Abplanalp, Lara McRea
Guests: Jared Wenzelburger, Isabel Vander Stoep, Lorrie Davis, Laura Coppock
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public Health and Social Services Advisory Board member Jami Lund said four members of the advisory
board formed a sub-committee to work on a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Health Officer
contract. He and Beth Rohr discussed the group’s recommendations for the RFQ.
Commissioner Pollock said she’d like to see a knowledge of zoonotic diseases included in the RFQ.
Meja Handlen suggested opening a “request for questions” section through with potential applicants
could ask questions about the position. She suggested an April 18 deadline for the “request for
questions” section.
Jami suggested the county indicate its expectations about the health officer’s hours as part of the RFQ.
Commissioner Pollock said the position historically was budgeted at eight hours a week.
JP Anderson said the new Health Officer likely would need to devote more than eight hours due to
statewide policy meetings the individual would attend and represent Lewis County’s interests.
The commissioners said they would discuss budget options for the position March 30.
Jami said the RFQ sub-committee plans to meet again March 30.
JP said he would reach out to the PA’s Office to determine what steps the commissioners can take as
they work on the Health Officer contract.
Meeting ended at 8:46 a.m.