By HOLLY GASKILL
Another shift has come to the Wells County Health Department staff.
Marlene Hoag, the department’s interim administrator, notified the health board during their meeting Thursday morning that Food Environmental Specialist Daniel Miller recently resigned. Both environmental specialist positions are now vacant.
Meanwhile, former septic environmental specialist Ryan Bennett agreed to return on a contract through Dec. 31. He has since submitted his resume for the septic position, which he left in June.
Hoag also brought Sahara Wall, vital records clerk, on full-time. Hoag advised she had received approval from Health Officer Dr. Kay Johnson, but had not heard direction from elected officials regarding Wall’s prospective title or salary. Hoag had also been unable to list salary information for the department’s open positions — deputy administrator, septic environmental specialist, medical assistant and vital records clerk.
At the time, the health board made no motion or direction regarding Wall or Bennett’s employment.
By the Wells County Council’s year-end meeting in the afternoon, the council members unanimously approved two position salaries — $51,500 for a deputy administrator and $56,000 for an environmental specialist.
Council member Seth Whicker stated these figures had come from the commissioners, understanding that the environmental specialist could absorb both food and septic positions. Hoag and Commissioner Blake Gerber said they had not heard those specific figures before the meeting.
Hoag reiterated the same sentiment she had made to the health board that morning when asked about the possibility of combining the environmental specialist positions. “I think that’s unfair … for somebody else to take (both positions), and that’s part of the reason we’re in the issues that we’re in the Health Department,” she said. Instead, Hoag suggested Bennett serve as supervisor of the two positions.
Whicker then asked if a part-time employee could complete food inspection responsibilities. According to Hoag, there are seasons where food-specific responsibilities are not full-time, but the environmental specialists often carry the workload together, helping in each division.
Hoag also noted that Bennett had only agreed to return and complete food inspections for an interim period.
“Would this best to be put on pause? I’m a bit confused.” Council member Todd Mahnensmith asked, and Council member Scott Elzey agreed.
Council member Brandon Harnish suggested they could re-evaluate the department’s needs for a part-time position as needed. In the meantime, however, he said the budget permitted a raise by eliminating the other position.
Hoag recognized this sentiment but expressed that the raise was needed to compete with neighboring counties and similar positions already. Prior to the county pay matrix, the budgeted salary for the environmental septic position was $46,768, and the deputy administrator was $39,859.
Ultimately, Harnish motioned to approve the salaries. As he did, Wells County Recorder Carolyn Bertsch raised her hand in the audience. Bertsch’s attempt was not seen nor was there time for public comment.
During the health board meeting, Hoag had tearfully expressed her frustration with the lack of communication and support she had received from the board and officials.
When bringing Wall on full-time, Hoag said she contacted the council to discuss amending the budget accordingly. She was directed to several other officials, but was unable to get a clear answer on how to proceed.
“There’s a lot of chiefs, not enough Indians,” said Public Health Nurse Lynn Blevins.
“How can we help you?” asked board member Dr. Mary Donley. “What does the department need from the board?” added board member Molly Hoag.
“When I was hired back (as interim), I was given full responsibility to do what I had done prior, and I have tried to do that,” Marlene Hoag paused to collect herself. “I have way too many chiefs coming at me. My main focus was to try to get everything settled … All we’ve ever asked for is support for what we do, and so many times when something happens out and about, we’re the last to hear about (it).”
Hoag was contracted as an interim for three to six months beginning July 5. On Thursday, Hoag reiterated her desire to remain until the department reached a more stable position, had its finances in order, and was trained adequately for administrative responsibilities.
She concluded, “It has been a trying six months, and there’s no reason it should have been a trying six months if we would have sat down and talked about the real issues here the way they should’ve been talked about.”
holly@news-banner.com
