St. Clair County commissioners are preparing to weigh in on whether to recombine leadership roles at the county Health Department.
The issue resurfaced last week after the St. Clair County Advisory Board of Health clarified that a December motion recommending the Health Officer and Medical Director positions be merged had in fact passed by simple majority.
The two roles were separated in 2022 following the departure of former Medical Director Dr. Annette Mercatante, amid community criticism over local enforcement of state COVID-19 restrictions. At the time, the split was intended to divide administrative oversight from medical authority.
Currently, Liz King serves as Health Officer, while Dr. Remington Nevin serves as Medical Director.
During Thursday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner David Rushing, who also represents the county on the Advisory Board of Health, asked County Administrator/Controller Thomas Hall to place the matter on the agenda for next month’s Human Services Committee meeting.
If advanced there, the issue would move to the full Board of Commissioners for a final decision.
Board Chair Steve Simasko indicated the board expects to address the matter directly in March or April, and said any potential restructuring would include an opportunity for full public input.
No formal vote by the Board of Commissioners has taken place yet.
