BOH again delays public health director appointment

WASHINGTON — Board of Health Members voted 4-0 Thursday afternoon to postpone the appointment of a new Washington County Public Health Director.

The decision came after a closed session, authorized by a section of Iowa Code which excludes the public from meetings that discuss individuals’ competency and qualifications, in an effort to prevent harm to their reputations. That closed session lasted for over an hour.

County health officials said they’d sent out reference checks for three candidates on Friday the week prior, but had not yet heard back from all parties involved.

“I like to have at least three references for each candidate, and I have not received that yet,” Board of Health Chair Andrea Leyden said. “I want to give them a little bit more time.”

Thursday was the latest in a string of delays as the county seeks to replace former Public Health Director Emily Tokheim, who in February resigned to take a state-level job in Des Moines closer to her family.

The initial job application window ended March 1, but was extended to March 21 after only two candidates put their names in the hat. After a series of job interviews in April, health board members said they were still undecided between three applicants, referred to as “Candidate A, B, and C,” and wanted to reach out for reference checks.

The board now plans to meet again on March 16, hoping the extra time will be enough to complete those checks.

In the meantime, administrative decisions for the agency are delegated to other department leadership staff, who are handing broad duties like “program compliance,” or “home care and nurse staffing,” until a new leader is hired.

Until that time, health officials said they’d continue to do their due diligence as they consider Washington County’s next public health director.

“As a board, it’s our responsibility to make sure that we put the right person in the position,” Leyden said at a previous meeting. “I just want to make sure that we’re making a sound decision for the employees, and a sound decision for the community.”

Board Member and County Supervisor Jack Seward Jr., who’s previously said he had an unspecified conflict of interest that prevents him from voting on or discussing the county’s next public health director, was absent from the May 2 meeting.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com