Wiedenhoff fills role of interim Public Health coordinator

Board of Supervisors
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Following Jenna Lovaas resignation in serving as the Jones County Public Health coordinator, per the Board of Health’s recommendation, the Jones County Supervisors appointed Jess Wiedenhoff as the interim coordinator.

     The board took action during the Sept. 7 meeting. Wiedenhoff previously served as Community Health specialist under Public Health.

     Wiedenhoff will work 32 to 40 hours, more than she worked before, at a pay rate of $30 an hour.

     Wiedenhoff presented the board with a newly revised job description, as well as a list of the 10 essential services provided by Public Health. Number one: Assess and monitor population health.

     Wiedenhoff told the board that the BOH has outlined a six-month deadline by which time they will make a decision regarding moving forward with a long-term Public Health coordinator.

     The board of supervisors not only approved the new job description, but Wiedenhoff’s new, elevated position as well.

     “We’re lucky to have someone here to step into this this role,” commented Supervisor Joe Oswald.

     The board also approved Wiedenhoff and the BOH’s commendation to hire a temporary administrative assistant to help Wiedenhoff get through the next six months or so. The BOH is using a hiring service to fill this role, at a rate of $31 an hour. (A portion of the wage goes to the temp service.)

     Wiedenhoff reminded the board of supervisors that at one time, Public Health had three “skilled, technical employees.” Now, all that remains is Wiedenhoff.

     She said the hiring of a temp would assist in daily tasks.

     “At this point, we’re not asking the county to invest in an employee,” she said of the BOH providing the funding. Wiedenhoff would serve as the supervisor to the temp position.

     Supervisor John Schlarmann noted that even at $31 an hour, it is still less than paying three employees.

     “You’re saving the county $1,600 a month,” noted Wiedenhoff of the temp position.

     In addition, Schlarmann, who serves on the BOH, said they want to take their time to learn what each of the Public Health roles involved and entailed, and where they overlapped.

     Board of Health Administrator Paula Hart praised Wiedenhoff during the board meeting.

     “I want you to know how well Jess stepped up with all that’s happened,” Hart said. “We’re trying to do the best we can moving forward.”

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