Board of health retains control of public health matters, tensions rise during commissioners meeting
It was standing room only at the Davidson County Commissioners meeting on Monday, April 24. {Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
If you stepped off the elevator on the fourth floor of the Davidson County Governmental Building after 6 p.m. on Monday, April 24, there was an immediate sense that something major was brewing. With every seat full inside the Davidson County Commissioners meeting room, members of the community stood in the foyer, hallways and near entrances to the room eager to hear the discussion about a topic that prompted the full house: the possibility the commissioners might assume direct control of the Board of Health.
At the March 13 meeting, Commissioner James Shores, who is a member of the health board as the county representative, introduced a resolution for a public hearing to potentially dissolve the board by stripping it of its autonomy, restructuring it as an advisory board and giving commissioners the ability to make decisions about public health. . Board of health members have previously stated they were “blindsided” by the proposal. On April 6, following the receipt of a resignation letter by Public Health Director Lillian Koontz (which has been rescinded as of April 25), the board held its second special called meeting (since the resolution was presented).
On Monday evening, after proclamations were read, rezonings were approved and a closed session pertaining to personnel was conducted, the public hearing about the future of the board of health began at approximately 7:15 p.m.
The first person invited to speak was Richard Boner, a native of Davidson County, whose mother worked at the health department for 37 years. He shared the requirements needed to be a member of the board of health and the duties commissioners would assume in this role. Boner noted that “just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.”
After hearing from retired optometrist Dr. John McWhorter and former Davidson County Public Health Director, Layton Long, Commissioner Chairperson Fred McClure invited board of health members to speak.
Chair of the Board Tammy Troublefield shared the credentials and accomplishments of each board member. The 11-person panel consists of a veterinarian, pharmacist, optometrist, nurse, dentist, public engineer, pediatrician, retired environmental health director, respiratory therapist, physical therapist and Shores.
The temperature in the room increased as dialogue took place between Dr. Doug Cope, Dr. Rob Williams and Commissioner Todd Yates. While Cope was reciting information Koontz had presented to County Manager Casey Smith regarding concerns she Koontz had dating back to 2020 about salary, Yates began asking when had the board ever come to the commissioners about the inability hire or keep staff because salaries weren’t competitive.
Cope and Williams repeatedly referred to emails that had been sent between Koontz and Smith where she expressed her fears about a then impending crisis in the environmental health department if they weren’t fully staffed. McClure confirmed the email exchanges.
Yates referenced his 12 years of service as a commissioner as he honed in on the fact the board, as a whole, hadn’t shared their concerns directly to the commissioners. Cope and Williams, along with board member Rebecca Simmons, expressed they were never made aware that was how they wanted to receive information.
While the issue of salaries was being discussed, Commissioner Steve Shell asked if the department had lost staff to Rowan County because of higher pay. Williams stated that would be accurate. He inquired if the board was aware previous employees had returned “because the commissioners got involved.” Yates questioned if the board of health did “anything to keep them from leaving” initially.
When dialogue was completed between the board of health and the commissioners, McClure opened the floor for comments from residents. Roughly 25 people shared their thoughts and concerns. The majority were against the resolution while some stated they weren’t sure of the solution but believed something needed to be done because of delayed responses for pending health and environmental inspections.
Having spent over four hours listening to citizens’ opinions, the commissioners were eager to share their own. Commissioners Matt Mizell and Karen Watford read prepared statements voicing trepidations about seizing control of the board of health. Shores, Yates and Shell stood their ground as they believed making the move would help solve the recurring issues.
Commissioner Chris Elliott revealed he was initially in favor of the change. He apologized to Koontz and the board of health for not speaking with them before making his initial decision.
McClure directed questions to County Attorney Charles Fyre about the commissioners’ responsibilities if the resolution passes. He noted not only would they be responsible for public health for residents residing in the county but those within the municipalities. According to McClure, there had been no discussions with the mayors in Lexington, Thomasville, Midway, Wallburg or Denton about the potential change.
By a vote of 4-3, the commissioners voted against assuming direct control of the Davidson County Board of Health. McClure, Elliott, Watford and Mizell voted in favor of keeping the Board as is. Yates, Shell and Shores were opposed.
The motion was made by Mizell and seconded by Watford.
The meeting, in its entirety, can be viewed here.
