By HOLLY GASKILL
In a statement Friday, the Wells County Health Department announced Dr. Kay Johnson agreed to voluntarily resign from her position as local health officer.
Johnson will retain the role and responsibility as interim health officer until a new doctor is appointed. She will also serve in a new consulting role for the Board of Health. Johnson told The News-Banner she would remain with the county in the consulting role through 2026. She also called the agreement “fair and amicable” and advised “everyone is happy with the outcome.”
The announcement directly follows a unanimous decision by the Health Board on Thursday authorizing Board President Chris Esterling to approve a “settlement package” outside of a public meeting. A similar motion was approved by the Wells County Commissioners at their Feb. 5 meeting.
“It’s a good time for change and to move forward,” Commissioner President Jeff Stringer said. “I’m glad we came to an agreement, and I wish the best to her.”
The Health Board unanimously voted to initiate the process for Johnson’s removal in December. During a subsequent public hearing, several board members expressed their belief Johnson had not adequately led the department through a pivotal time of understaffing in 2023. Johnson and her legal counsel claimed these issues had not been raised before the board considered her removal.
Johnson had held the position since 2010 and was re-appointed to a another four-year term in 2022.
The board tabled their discussion after the extensive hearing and postponed a decision in a special session following a two-hour executive session later in January. County Attorney Ted Storer announced the parties were nearing an agreement on Feb. 5, asking that Stringer be authorized to sign an agreement on behalf of the board outside of a public meeting.
The agreement was not made available to The News-Banner at the time of print.
The Wells County Board of Health is responsible for appointing a new health officer, and the County Commissioners will then certify the appointment.
The County Commissioners will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The next regular meeting of the Health Board is at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, April 18.
holly@news-banner.com
