Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Appointment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board appoints Monica (transcript variants) as Butte County public health director after split public comment
Summary
The supervisors approved a contract appointing Monica (transcript shows "Sjostrom/Sutterstrom/Soderstrom") as director of public health with a $150,709 salary; public commenters sharply divided, with some alleging vaccine harms and local organizations expressing support.
The Butte County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 voted to hire Monica (transcript variants: Sjostrom, Sutterstrom, Soderstrom) as the county's director of public health under a three-year contract with an annual salary of $150,709.
Staff said the recruitment attracted a competitive pool from across California and that the board selected Monica to be director effective Feb. 11, 2025, through Feb. 12, 2028. The hiring action authorized the chair to sign the employment contract.
The decision came amid sharply divided public comment. Several speakers opposed the appointment, arguing that public-health measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic harmed residents. Julie Threet said she and others have repeatedly submitted research she believes documents vaccine injuries; Ronald F. Owens Jr., who said he is a former California Department of Public Health information officer, alleged statewide harms and urged supervisors to stop the shots. Diana Dreis read excerpts of an affidavit and made sweeping claims about mRNA injections.
At the same time, local organizations and health professionals voiced support. Shelly Miller read a letter from First 5 Butte County Children and Families Commission endorsing the appointee's track record on maternal and child health and evidence-based programs. Barbara Clifford, a retired advanced-practice nurse and member of local health boards, thanked the board and expressed confidence in the new director.
Shelly Miller (reading First 5 letter): "Her leadership in integrating mental health services within pediatric care played a critical role in expanding access to maternal mental health resources."
The board moved and seconded approval; the vote was recorded as passing unanimously.
What comes next: the appointee will assume the director role; staff and community partners will continue public-facing outreach and program administration under the new leadership.
Note on transcript name variants: the transcript records multiple spellings for the appointee's surname in different places; this article uses the form presented in the board's contract language while noting alternate transcript spellings in the provenance.
