The Fargo Cass Public Health Board of Health on a voice vote approved a revised Request for Qualifications for the health officer role after a board amendment to include public education and media responsibilities.

Board substitute chair John Strand opened the meeting and led the discussion on the health officer job description and proposed RFQ. Jen Fall Fargo, public health director, said the draft RFQ is based in part on the North Dakota Century Code and on specific needs identified by division directors; she told the board the role being posted reflects the narrower scope the department seeks compared with a prior contract with NDSU.

The board discussed hours and scope. Jen Fall Fargo said the position the department expects to contract for is roughly four hours per week. Dr. Grant Severson, a board member and pediatric rheumatologist, asked whether public education and outreach were included in the role and said the health officer “has a pretty, you know, forward facing role for the public to give them information about different things.” Dr. Severson moved to add public education and media interviews to the RFQ; Jamie Stagg seconded the motion. The board approved the amendment by voice vote and then approved the RFQ as amended.

Dr. Jesse Lindeman introduced herself as the interim public health officer and was explicitly named in the discussion as eligible to apply for the permanent role. Fall Fargo told the board that the previous description (the department used under contract with NDSU) was broader and that the new RFQ reflects a narrower scope of work the department seeks to buy.

The board also discussed how candidates would be screened and whether board members would participate in interviews. Fall Fargo said department directors and City of Fargo leadership would be involved in reviewing applications and bringing candidates forward; she did not rule out including board members on interview panels.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve meeting agenda: approved by voice vote (voice vote; mover/second not specified in record).
- Motion to approve Dec. 6 minutes: approved by voice vote (voice vote; mover/second not specified in record).
- Motion to amend the health officer RFQ to add public education/media responsibilities: moved by Dr. Grant Severson; seconded by Jamie Stagg; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Motion to approve the RFQ as amended: approved by voice vote (mover/second not specified in record).

The RFQ will be posted with the board-approved language, including the public-education responsibility. Fall Fargo and staff will proceed with recruitment under the amended scope; board members asked for additional clarity later in the process on how interviews and final recommendations will be handled.

Ending
The board confirmed the RFQ will go out as amended and discussed next steps for candidate review and possible board participation in interviews.