Officials debate interim leadership for Health & Human Services

Wahkiakum County officials are continuing to develop their process for filling the vacant position of director of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Commissioners and other officials met last week with heads of health and human services of Cowlitz, Clark and Skamania counties to get their input. Next week, they'll meet with representatives of the state Department of Health.

On Tuesday, the board passed Commissioner Lisa Marsyla's motion to make the position of county Public Health Nurse a full time position. Marsyla stated that the nurse, Connie Davis, is a nurse practitioner and has the knowledge and background to direct the county's health programs.

Marsyla proposed that Davis, Deputy Director Chris Weiler and Human Services Director Chris Holmes act as joint administrators while commissioners determine how they want to fill the vacancy and then recruit candidates.

Davis would be in charge of health programs; Weiler would take care of financial administration, and Holmes would continue to direct the mental health and chemical dependency programs. Together, they would determine who would represent the county at regional meetings and programs.

Weiler said he would prefer having one person appointed as temporary director. That would keep the decision making process from getting bogged down in a committee, and it would provide consistent management for the department.

It's important to have one person involved in the regional health programs, he said, to make sure the county's needs are addressed in the changing health care world.

Marsyla replied that she is confident that county commissioners and department staff will be able to handle the load.

Holmes said he agreed in part with Weiler's comments. Change is coming, he said, and he would want the best qualified person at the table to represent the county's interests, and that's important for the long term. He also noted that former Administrator Judy Bright gave the program heads a lot of authority, so they're used to running their programs.

"Personally, I don't have a problem with what Lisa is proposing," he said.

Commissioner Blair Brady said he wants the group to complete its job description next week so that the board can begin recruiting a new director.