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Vernon County agent program clears state review; department plans staffing adjustments after sanitarian resigns
Summary
A three‑year state agent review found Vernon County's food and recreational business agent program largely in compliance and issued a work plan; the county's sanitarian announced she has accepted a private‑sector job, prompting plans to hire and to use existing nursing staff as temporary support.
The Vernon County Health Department reported that a recent three‑year state evaluation of the county’s agent program found the sanitation agent to be in compliance with state statutes, codes and departmental policies, and issued a work plan for improvements the department must implement.
Anna, the county sanitarian, told the board she has accepted another position in industry and will transition to part‑time while the department hires a replacement. “I have taken another position for a different company,” Anna said.
Program background and findings: Staff presented a detailed packet showing long‑term growth of licensed facilities in the county. At the time materials were compiled the department listed 366 facilities; Anna was assigned 354 facilities, a caseload the state review noted as greater than the recommended range of 280–320 facilities for one full‑time sanitarian. The department reported its agent fund balance as $280,857.23 (year‑to‑date figure included in materials provided to the board).
Planned staffing approach: The department plans to recruit for Anna’s full‑time position and to use an internal nursing staff member, Caitlin, to flex into a part‑time sanitarian role after she completes required training and the registered sanitarian exam. Staff said Sauk County has agreed to an MOU to help cover services if an emergent need arises during the transition.
Program implications: Board members were told the program has grown on average about 15% over five years, that fee revenue from inspections supports agent program operations, and that upcoming state adjustments (including proposed new nitrate‑testing requirements for lodging) could increase workload. Staff cautioned that hiring a second full‑time sanitarian immediately would rapidly deplete the fund balance, so the department intends to monitor workload and revisit staffing if needed.
Ending: The board authorized staff to proceed with recruitment and to bring updates on hiring and implementation of the DATCP work plan to future meetings.
