Public Health looks to promote intern

     After a few months working as a temporary Jones County Public Health intern, Kaci Ginn might soon became a part-time employee.

     Public Health Coordinator Jenna Lovaas requested the employment status change during the May 19 Board of Supervisor meeting. If approved by the board at their next meeting, Ginn would have the title of “Public Health Preparedness Specialist.”

     Lovaas said the Board of Health approved of the change.

     “We see a need for additional staff in the near future,” Lovaas said, “given the extent of the emergency, and until there’s a treatment of vaccine.”

     Lovaas said Public Health has been conducting extensive contact tracing with those who test positive for the coronavirus.

     “We need help managing this for the foreseeable future,” she said. “And we don’t want to have to worry about training anyone new.”

     Lovaas told the board that she was researching whether the position has to be opened to the public before offering it to Ginn.

     “Would this just for COVID-19 or permanently?” asked Supervisor Joe Oswald of the employment change.

     “It’s evolving,” said Lovaas. She said it could be re-evaluated once the public health emergency is lifted.

     “Recovery will take a while,” she added.

     The board chose to wait a week to make a decision until they can get some questions answered.

In other county business:

     • The board approved vacating a portion of (approximately 900 feet) of Lily Road in Hale Township. This was at the request of landowner.

     Lily Road is a dead-end road. County Engineer Derek Snead there were no issues in vacating it.

     • The board approved a setback variance request from Heath Englebart on Shaw Road.

     Englebart wants to construct a building south of some storage sheds, but needs to build within the county’s 30-foot right-of-way. He said due to a creek that runs through the property, he needs to encroach in the right-of-way.

     Snead said the building would not be an issue for sight distance of future roadway expansion.

     • Two upcoming Board of Supervisor meetings have been rescheduled due to elections. Instead of Tuesday, the board will meet on Thursday, June 4 and Thursday, Nov. 5, both at 9 a.m.

     • The board approved a change order with Meyer Mechanical for the courthouse HVAC project in the amount of $3,338.45. This is to provide condensation pumps on six HVAC units to allow for proper drainage.