Washington County Board of Health to change meeting day

WASHINGTON — The County Board of Health plans to change its monthly meeting schedule now that Vice Chair Jack Seward Jr. has been appointed to a state board with an overlapping time slot.

“I was recently nominated by the governor to serve on the state Mental Health and Disability Services Commission, I was just confirmed this week to serve on that seat,” Seward said at a board meeting last week. “I can’t afford to miss the state meeting … those commission meetings are monthly and they are all on the third Thursday of the month. So if I were to continue either on this board or as vice chair or whatever, I would like this (board) to consider meeting on a different Thursday of the month, or I will probably have to be replaced.”

Board Member Trevor Martin said he approved the change.

“Jack’s been with us a long time, so he knows some of the ins and outs of public health, so he’s a good resource to have on the board,” Martin said. “Sometimes it’s good to have new people in so they can learn it as well, but if he’s amenable to a different Thursday, I would be fine with doing that as well.”

The board will meet on the fourth Thursday of every month starting in May. Seward said he was grateful for the accommodation, but was uncertain about his role going forward.

“I’m hoping that will be enough,” he said. “I’m not sure yet how much extra work this Mental Health and Disability Service Commission is going to be.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com