Board of Health seeks to fill vacancy

WASHINGTON — The Washington County Board of Health will have a vacancy to fill by next year, after Board Member Chris Grier announced his plan to leave at the end of his three-year term, which concludes Dec. 31.

While the spot historically attracts little attention, Public Health Director Emily Tokheim said at least four applicants had already reached out, representing a wide range of experience levels and reasons for interest.

“Previously it’s really been just one individual who’s been interested, so I don’t know that … we’ve ever had four,” she said. “We want to make sure that we’re selecting the right person … we’re excited to have four people who would like to serve on the Board of Health.”

Tokheim said herself, two board members and an Environmental Health representative would sit down with applicants in the meantime for informal discussions on their interest and qualifications. While the position remains open — and listed on the county website — she said things were moving along quickly.

“Given the time crunch and looking at the history of how this works or when there’s a term expiration, I anticipate the Board of Health will likely make a recommendation to fill that seat during their November meeting,” she said.

Once that recommendation is made, the county’s Board of Supervisors will have the green light to make an official approval at their first meeting of the new year. Though the body is not legally obligated to follow the health board’s recommendation, it often has in previous years.

The seat has no required qualifications, leaving the recommendation up to board discretion. Tokheim said she would reach out to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for recommended guidance, in lieu of formal criteria.

“Really, what is considered a best fit is up to our board of health and our board of supervisors,” she said. “We’re … anticipating having that discussion as we go through this informal interview process.”

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