Board members on Aug. 19 heard an update that the health department is operating with an interim administrator and has scheduled interviews for a permanent administrator.

"Yes. I am the sucker that's now taking place taking the interim," Faith, the interim administrator, told the board. She said a new nurse to replace Lisa Aschenbrenner has been hired and is expected to start after Labor Day. "We have hired a new nurse ... she is hopefully going to start after, Labor Day," Faith said.

The board also heard that the department's grant and program funding declined substantially. Dr. Holm, the county health officer, told the board that the health department "was getting roughly $1,200,000. Now we're down to ... roughly $186,000," and that staff will need to prioritize programs accordingly. Board members asked whether they could participate in administrator interviews; Faith said she and department leadership "can set something up once we get a firm grasp of who we want to at least narrow it down." A board member requested that at least one board member be allowed to participate in the interview process.

Why it matters: department leaders said the funding drop will require program prioritization and staff input; the new administrator will have a role in shaping those choices. The board emphasized inclusion in hiring and oversight because of recent turnover and internal concerns.

What’s next: the health department will continue administrator interviews and will share timing with board members who requested participation. The hiring of the new nurse is expected to be finalized after Labor Day; the department's 2024 budget materials have been submitted to the state and are before the county council, staff said.

Ending: board members asked staff to keep the board informed about candidate interviews and to provide documentation on ongoing program decisions as the department adapts to smaller funding levels.