County looking for Health and Human Services director

Wahkiakum County's department of Health and Human Services is looking for a new director.

Current Director Judy Bright informed the county board of commissioners last week that she is resigning effective the end of this month.

"Due to ill health, I am resigning my position of Wahkiakum County Director of Health and Human Services effective January 1, 2012," she wrote in her letter of resignation. "I want to thank each of you for this amazing opportunity to work for Wahkiakum County and wish you the very best."

On Tuesday, county commissioners said they were sad to lose Bright as director, and they began planning how to recruit a replacement.

"This is a huge loss for our county," said board Chair Lisa Marsyla. She noted that as a nurse practitioner, Bright was able to provide some health department services. She also has shown great skill as an administrator and she has effectively represented the county in regional health issues.

Interim Director Chris Weiler and Mental Health Director Chris Holmes urged the board of commissioners to fill the director's position as soon as possible.

Having a director at work brings continuity to the department, Weiler said.

"It affects how the public sees us and how the staff sees itself," he said. "We definitely need to fill the position rapidly."

There are many issues needing attention, he added. One is the development of a regional health network to meet the standards of the Healthcare Reform Act. Bright has been a leading figure in that effort, he said. He and Holmes can attend the necessary meetings, he said, but it takes away from time they would spend on their regular duties.

Commissioner Dan Cothren said he wanted to advertise the position and start recruiting candidates as soon as possible.

However, Marsyla and Commissioner Blair Brady said they wanted to gather input from a variety of sources about what they should look for in a new director.

"I have requested from Judy Bright her recommendation," Brady said. "I don't see an immediate need."

Marsyla agreed. She said she wanted to confer with the county's health officer, Dr. Alan Melnick, and also with health officials from Clark and Cowlitz counties. After discussion, commissioners agreed to invite the officials to the courthouse for a meeting next Tuesday afternoon.

"I'd really like to get their input," Marsyla said.

"What ever decision you make, just put on the express lane," Weiler urged. He added that he doesn't intend to apply for the director's position. His normal job is department fiscal officer.

In other business, commissioners and Assessor Bill Coons agreed they needed to consider ramifications of contract changes before paying a bill for computer software installation.

True Automation, the vendor, has asked for a change order to allow them to drop a mapping component, giving the county a $7,000 credit. The firm, Coons said, has said there is new technology that makes the mapping obsolete.

The firm is also awaiting a $14,196 payment for installation and maintenance of the new software, which the auditor, treasurer and assessor use.

Marsyla brought out minutes from a 2010 commission meeting in which the board passed a motion, made by her, to withhold final payment until all officials are satisfied with the system and say so in writing.

"Are you satisfied," she asked Coons.

He replied he was dissatisfied that the mapping component wasn't in place and that another program bug hasn't been fixed. However, he said, he has learned to work around the problems.

Commissioners agreed they wouldn't approve payment until they had spoken with the auditor and treasurer and had written releases from the three officials. They also wanted to confer with Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow about the situation.

The issue will come back on the agenda January 17.