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Health department reports staffing changes, animal-shelter pressure and measles preparedness
Summary
Health department leaders told commissioners about staffing turnover, capacity issues at the county shelter after multiple seized dogs, measles-preparedness coordination with Logan Health and a security change at health administration.
At the Flathead County commissioners’ March 27 meeting, health department staff delivered a bimonthly update outlining personnel changes, animal-shelter capacity concerns, measles preparedness and building security adjustments.
Jennifer Rinkowski and other health staff said the department recently hired a community health manager, Rose Hash, and lost a nurse supervisor and a sanitarian who is moving out of the area. Rinkowski said the department is pursuing cost savings and a staffing restructuring amid the county budget process.
Rinkowski said the county shelter had taken in a large number of seized dogs in a criminal investigation; staff and partner shelters redistributed adoptable animals but the shelter remained near capacity. She said the department had 29 impounded dogs tied to investigations plus roughly 18 other animals, bringing the shelter to about 47–48 animals and straining staff resources. The health department has reduced cat intake temporarily and is seeking help from other shelters statewide.
On infectious-disease preparedness, Rinkowski said staff are coordinating with Logan Health and state and federal authorities to prepare for possible measles cases; the department is advising schools to watch for symptoms and consider excluding students with relevant travel history.
Rinkowski also said health administration installed an intercom and door-control measures so staff working alone can communicate with visitors and limit unexpected entries. She said the change was made after law-enforcement advice and will be used selectively when staff are alone in the office.
Commissioners had no follow-up actions attached to the update beyond routine oversight; staff said they will continue to brief commissioners on shelter capacity and preparedness work.
