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County appoints acting health director as officials report multiple bidders for Care Centre
Summary
The board appointed an acting health director while the county continues recruiting a permanent director. Health staff said several providers have evaluated the Care Centre and two organizations are actively considering takeover; commissioners expect a fuller update at the next meeting.
The Glacier County Board of Commissioners voted on Feb. 26 to appoint an acting public-health director while the county completes recruitment for a permanent director. County health staff recommended appointing Tommy (spelling varies in the record) to temporarily perform director duties; a commissioner moved the appointment, another seconded, and the board recorded affirmative votes to approve the appointment.
Why it matters: county staff said core public-health services will continue uninterrupted during the leadership transition and noted the department has existing nurse coverage for clinical services. Staff also said the county’s budget could sustain hiring an additional nurse if workload demands increase while a permanent director is sought.
Care Centre update: health staff provided a progress report on the Care Centre property and potential providers. Two organizations have completed walk-throughs and received privileged financial and payer-mix materials from the current vendor and are evaluating whether to assume operations. Staff said discussions with prospective providers included lengthy conversations about logistics and that they were “very positive” overall; commissioners and staff plan a formal update at the next meeting once bidders reach decision points.
Administrative notes: health staff said one application for the permanent director post is in progress but incomplete; staff will gather outstanding documents and proceed with interviews when the application packet is complete. The county’s risk/contract attorney and the insurance agent will be involved in drafting and reviewing any contract language if a new provider is selected.
Key quotes
"I'd like the Board to appoint Tommy Caffer as the Acting Director until the Permanent Director is selected," the health staffer said during the item.
"We had some pretty lengthy discussions ... they were very interested in the property," health staff said of recent provider meetings.
Ending: The motion to appoint the acting director carried and health staff will return with a fuller public update on the Care Centre and any contracting steps at a subsequent meeting.
