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Butte County names Monica Soderstrom director of public health amid split public comment
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a contract appointing Monica Soderstrom as director of public health (term through Feb. 12, 2028, annual salary $150,709) after supporters praised her maternal-child and trauma-informed work and several public commenters raised objections tied to COVID-19-era policies and vaccines.
The Butte County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a contract on Feb. 11 appointing Monica Soderstrom as director of the Butte County Department of Public Health, with a salary listed in the contract of $150,709 and a three-year term through Feb. 12, 2028.
Chair Kimleshiu said the recruitment drew a competitive pool, and the board selected Soderstrom after screening and interviews. "It is my honor to bring this contract to your board," the county chief administrative officer said during the recruitment report. The board then voted to authorize the chair to sign the contract.
Public comment on the appointment was sharply divided. Shelley Miller read a letter from First 5 Butte County endorsing Soderstrom for her work in maternal and child health and for efforts to expand evidence-based home visiting and trauma-informed care. Barbara Clifford, a retired advanced practice nurse and member of a local health board of trustees, also urged the board to approve Soderstrom and described her as experienced and committed.
Other speakers registered strong objections. Julie Threet called Soderstrom's record "failures" and listed county COVID-era policies and grant-supported vaccination efforts; Ronald F. Owens Jr. and Diana Dreis repeated allegations about COVID vaccines and urged the board to halt vaccine programs. Those public commenters were speaking as private citizens and did not cite any board action connected to the appointment; the board did not change its vote in response.
Monica Soderstrom addressed the board at the podium, saying, "I am very grateful and humbled for the whole experience I've had here," and that she looked forward to serving in the role and continuing public-health work locally.
The board recorded a unanimous vote to approve the contract and appointment.
