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Jackson County board authorizes 30‑day termination of Drug‑Free Communities coordinator
Summary
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors approved a 30‑day termination notice for the county Drug‑Free Communities project coordinator effective April 7, 2026, and heard a coalition request to cover the role on an interim basis while seeking a nonprofit or applicant to lead the remaining 2½ years of the grant.
On Tuesday, April 7, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the chair to sign a 30‑day termination notice for the county contract with Don Nelson, the Drug‑Free Communities (DFC) project coordinator, effective April 7, 2026.
Scott Warren, chair of the county prevention coalition, and Karen Wells, the DFC project director, asked the board to end the current contract and said the coalition could support an interim arrangement. Warren said the coalition would like Julie Fern to provide interim coverage for 30 days on an hourly basis; he told supervisors the coalition remains confident the grant objectives can be met and that about two and a half years remain on the DFC grant.
Wells described the coalition’s preference to either place the DFC contract with another nonprofit that could provide leadership or, if that proves infeasible, to post and hire/re‑hire the coordinator position. She emphasized that Fern was not interested in a full‑time appointment but could serve temporarily to prevent the program from “fall[ing] through the cracks.”
Supervisor Mike Steinus moved and Supervisor Nin Flegel seconded a motion to approve and authorize the chair’s signature on a 30‑day termination notice of the contract between Jackson County and Don Nelson as Drug‑Free Communities project coordinator, effective April 7, 2026. After brief discussion about next steps (issue notice, interim coverage, then recruitment), the board voted in favor and the motion carried.
The board and coalition agreed the likely sequence is: (1) issue the 30‑day notice, (2) enact interim coverage with coalition assistance, and (3) pursue a longer‑term solution through a nonprofit partner or a posted county position. The supervisors asked county staff and coalition leaders to coordinate closely during the 30‑day period to ensure continuity of grant work.
The board did not set a date for recruiting a permanent replacement in the meeting minutes; the coalition and staff will return with more specific next steps as needed.
