The Mason County public-health director briefed commissioners on Board of Health vacancies and on a smoke-response plan that includes the purchase and distribution of HEPA air filtration systems.

Staff said there are four vacancies on the county Board of Health: one reserved to represent Squaxin Island Tribal interests, two consumer-of-public-health seats (reserved by state statute for residents who self-identify as having experienced health inequities or lived public-health program experience), and one seat to replace a school-system representative. County staff described outreach to on-site septic stakeholders, school officials and other community partners to fill these positions.

The director explained the state rule reference for the “consumer of public health” category: county residents may self-identify as having faced significant health inequities or lived experience with public-health programs (WIC, vaccine clinics and similar services). Staff also said board members cannot be elected officials or have fiduciary attachments to county public-health programs.

On emergency smoke readiness, staff reported the county purchased 24 HEPA air-filtration systems and two pallets of 20-by-20 replacement filters. The county plans to pre-position units in locations such as fire stations and other community facilities to serve as clean-air access points during smoke events; the county will also make units available free to lower-income residents who meet eligibility criteria. Staff asked for guidance on using chambers, libraries or fire stations as distribution points; commissioners suggested fire stations as preferable because they are often open.

Ending: Staff will continue recruiting for Board of Health vacancies and coordinate placement and public notice for the pre-positioned HEPA filtration units; commissioners encouraged outreach to partners such as the chamber of commerce, libraries and fire districts.