Rusk County Human Services opens HHS board seat, discusses difficult placement and staffing; board approves routine items

Rusk County Human Services discussed procedures for filling a forthcoming vacancy on the county Health and Human Services (HHS) board, staffing transitions, and a difficult placement for a youth at Lad Lake during its regular meeting. Board members also approved several routine motions, including posting letters of interest for the HHS vacancy and an amendment to a residential contract.

The board agreed to post a public call for letters of interest to fill “Mary’s spot” on the HHS board after staff advised that county ordinances require opening a seat to countywide applicants rather than routinely reappointing the same person. Under the described process, the county clerk will publish a notice with a roughly two-week deadline; submitted letters will go to the county clerk and then to the committee on committees for interviews and appointment if more than one applicant applies.

The posting process was moved, seconded and approved by the board. The meeting record does not list the mover or second by name, and no roll-call tally was provided in the transcript.

Board members heard a lengthy case update about a 15-year-old placed at Lad Lake who the presenter described as repeatedly leaving the facility, causing property damage and handling fireworks. Staff said Lad Lake — described in the meeting as about 4 hours and 10 minutes from the county — recently gave notice to remove the youth and the county is…