By Brenda Erdahl
To streamline staffing resources and encourage increased public participation, the Wright County Board of Commissioners last week approved allowing Health and Human Services (HHS) to hold its regular monthly meeting within the county board’s regular Tuesday morning meetings.
According to HHS Department Head Jami Goodrum, coordinating the HHS board meeting time and place with the regular county board meeting will provide a better infrastructure for county personnel and residents to attend and participate in HHS meetings.
“This change will streamline staffing resources by both consolidating board agenda preparation, digitally recording the meeting and board minute taking in one position as well as reduce the total number of separate meetings required for commissioners, administrative staff, IT, HHS and other departmental staff,” she said. HHS currently meets once a month.
After commissioners unanimously approving the change, on Tuesday, April 4 at their regular meeting, the first combined meeting was held. As part of HHS business, the board adopted a resolution proclaiming April 3-9 as Public Health Week in Wright County. National Public Health Week honors the work of public health including at Wright County Health and Human Services. National Public Health Week has been celebrated for more than 25 years and is also observed by presidential and governor proclamations. The goal of National Public Health Week in 2023 is to recognize the contribution of public health in improving the health of the people of the United States including the work of local public health such as those serving Wright County.