Commissioners approve sending proposed bylaws change to Benton-Franklin Board of Health

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on June 4 approved a resolution to transmit a proposed bylaws amendment to the Benton-Franklin Board of Health asking that an affirmative vote from one county commissioner of each county be required for decisions on regulations, fee schedules, budgets or budget amendments.

Wes McCart, Franklin County planning and building director, reviewed the board of health bylaws and recommended the specific language. "An affirmative vote from one county commissioner of each respective county is required for decisions relating to regulations, fee schedules, budget, or budget amendments," McCart told the commissioners and asked that the county transmit the proposed amendment to the board of health for consideration at its next meeting.

McCart said he has experience on a multi-county board of health and that the suggested language is intended to keep counties "constitutionally compliant with their duty as the elected authority over your citizens." He also recommended asking the board of health chairman to appoint a bylaws committee to review the entire bylaws document.

Commissioners discussed the change in board composition since the state altered the board, noting the current panel includes two commissioners from each county plus four members at large. One commissioner noted that he and Commissioner Mullen had voted against updated septic-tank rules but the rules passed, and said the proposed bylaw language would prevent regulations affecting county citizens and budgets from moving forward without county-level approval.

A motion to approve resolution 2025-0172, proposed bylaws amendment for the Benton-Franklin District Board of Health, passed by voice vote. The board instructed staff to transmit the amendment promptly so it can be considered at the board of health meeting on June 18.