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Board concurs in Aaron Kessler as Polk County health officer
Summary
The board voted to concur in the appointment of Aaron Kessler as Polk County's health officer after state Department of Health officials endorsed his experience. Kessler, who had served five months as interim health officer, told commissioners he wants to be Polk's permanent health officer and confirmed the role will be dedicated to Polk County.
County staff and a representative of the Florida Department of Health asked the board to concur in Aaron Kessler as Polk County’s health officer. An assistant deputy secretary for the department described Kessler as "one of our most dependable health officers," noting his years of public-health experience, and said the state sought the board’s concurrence.
Aaron Kessler, who has served as the county’s interim health officer for the prior five months, told commissioners he enjoyed the assignment and wanted to make Polk County his permanent post. "I've been working here as your interim health officer for the last 5 months," Kessler said, and he confirmed his intent to be based in Polk rather than shared with Lake County. Commissioners asked whether the position would be dedicated to Polk; Kessler said it would.
The board moved and concurred in the appointment by voice vote. Several commissioners welcomed Kessler and pledged to support the health department’s work in Polk County.
