Dolores County hires Julie Kable as public health director, sets starting salary at $47,250

The Dolores County Board of Health voted March 16 to hire Julie Kable as the county’s public health director and to set her starting salary at $47,250, the board said.

The decision came after the board reviewed an advertised salary range for the position and a proposed grade-and-step pay schedule. Members discussed placing the new director at grade 7, step 4 — reflected in the board’s motion and subsequent voice vote.

Board members stressed that the hire does not, in itself, resolve workload questions. Members noted that environmental health duties are not included in the salary motion and that the incoming director will continue to carry environmental health responsibilities, which will increase meeting time and other duties. One board member said the director will need to complete the state public-health survey for the coming year as a first task.

Board discussion also referenced an intergovernmental agreement with Montezuma County. Members said Montezuma County has been providing immunization services under the region’s IGA for about a year and that Montezuma County’s legal counsel is working with Dolores County to carve out immunization services from the broader agreement. The board said it expects to return with a revised letter or document once Montezuma County completes that work.

Procedural notes: the board moved and seconded the hire and salary motions; the motions were approved by voice vote. The minutes for the March 2 meeting were also approved earlier in the session. The board noted that the director position is rehired annually and that an additional letter will be brought back for signature to formalize the hire.

What’s next: staff will continue IGA negotiations with Montezuma County to clarify which services remain regional and which will be retained or reassigned locally. The board also asked the new director to follow up on outstanding workload, scheduling and survey duties.