St. Clair County confirms several health-advisory appointments after heated public comment
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Summary
After an evening of mixed public testimony about the county’s health leadership and direction, the Board moved multiple advisory appointments — including Paul Urban and Dr. Steven Smith — and confirmed Joseph Hayes and Dawn Faulk in at-large ballots. Citizens sharply debated the role and influence of the county medical director and the advisory board.
The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners advanced a slate of health advisory appointments Tuesday after an extended public-comment period that split residents over the direction of the county health department.
Paul Urban was confirmed for the District 4 seat and Dr. Steven Smith was confirmed for District 5; the board also completed multiple at-large ballots that resulted in the selection of Dawn Faulk (Faulk/Falk spelled variably in public comments) and Joseph Hayes. The panel also appointed Anthony Farrell to the Community Mental Health board earlier in the meeting.
Supporters of the appointments argued the candidates would bring accountability and community perspective to the advisory board. “Medical autonomy…is imperative and should be respected and supported,” Paul Urban said as he described his views on parental rights and the role of community voices in public health decisions.
Opponents cautioned that consolidating authority or reshaping the advisory board could undermine evidence-based public-health work and expose the county to litigation. Fred Fuller told the board he was “concerned that doctor Nevin is really out of the mainstream with medical practitioners” and warned that combining the medical director and health officer roles could prompt lawsuits.
Several speakers referenced an earlier meeting and a forfeited grant; Vicky Blackburn told commissioners that a missed meeting on Sept. 17 led to a lost $180,000 grant for a clinic, an allegation repeated in public remarks and framed as evidence of board failures. At least one commenter used a different figure ($1,800,000) when describing a grant loss.
Board members conducted ballots and resolved procedural questions about district-specific and at-large slots before announcing results. Commissioners moved the motions and carried the votes consistent with the meeting’s agenda process; details of the roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript for the MOA referral and other items. The appointment process drew sustained citizen turnout and repeated calls that appointees reflect the county’s values and needs.
The board sent related personnel and governance items to the full board where appropriate; next steps include formalization of the appointments according to county procedures and any follow-up confirmations or administrative steps required by county bylaws.
