Forest County Board of Health hires Julie Bridal as Georgetown Public Health director, sets starting salary at $47,250

The Forest County Board of Health voted March 16 to hire Julie Bridal as public health director for Georgetown Public Health after considering a letter of interest and salary placement. The motion to hire was made by the Chair (S1) and seconded by a committee member (S2); the board approved the motion.

Board members set the director’s starting salary at $47,250, placing the position at grade 7 with a step forward, and discussed how the county’s stepped pay schedule would affect future increases. The Chair moved the salary motion and members voted in favor; the incoming director responded, “Thank you,” after the vote (Staff member, S3).

Members compared the county’s proposed grade and steps to neighboring counties and noted the limits of the schedule: under the plan as discussed, step 10 would be the maximum unless the county later adjusted the entire schedule for cost‑of‑living changes. One committee member also reminded the board that $25,000 had been removed from environmental‑health funding, warning that the director role will increase meeting and administrative time and suggested the board consider workload and reimbursement sources before further changes.

The Chair said the county would await Montezuma County’s response about carving out most items from a standing IGA and noted travel and some grant funding should cover expenses tied to the director’s duties. No additional contested motions or amendments to the hire were recorded.

The board moved on to other business after the appointment; the next procedural steps are to finalize onboarding and any related IGA amendments when partner counties return with their proposals.