NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of County Commissioners approved the appointment of Karen Hammersmith as the County's permanent health officer at its meeting on Tuesday, but not until they had an executive session for non-elected personnel to allow chair Daniel Friesen to express his opinion to the other commissioners privately prior to the vote.
"I feel like this should be a conversation with the new commission," Friesen said. "I don't think we should be making items of such permanency during, kind of, our lame duck session. Some of the other stuff I think, you know, we discuss in executive session and it has to stay there. I appreciate the opportunity to have a conversation on it."
The Board also approved the permanent appointment as the County's medical consultant in cases of emergency of Dr. Scott Pauly. There was a bit of friction on the issue, as again Friesen questioned the timing, along with wanting to see a formal contract. Ron Sellers made a motion to make the appointment, contingent on getting specific information to the commission and receiving acceptance from Dr. Pauly.
"We've put this thing off for three or four months," Sellers said. "Some of us have been asking for this to be on the agenda and it finally got on, after an extended period of time."
Friesen reiterated that he felt that decision should be left until after the three new commissioners are seated. Both motions passed 2-1 with Commissioners Sellers and Hirst in favor and Friesen against. Since the Board of County Commissioners also acts as the County Board of Health, it is possible for the new board, once seated, to revisit the issue.
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