Hilbert will stay as FCPH leader; new public health district created

Foster County Public Health will now be a district.

A resolution was passed at a special meeting held on February 1st to create a public health district so administrator Lisa Hilbert could offer potential nurses the wages they require.

Also, during a Foster County Board of Health meeting, the board was able to negotiate with Hilbert to keep her in the administrative position for the public health office.

During the regular Foster County Commission meeting held on Tuesday, February 7, the board discussed the transition period to ease-in to creating a "district" and what goes with that.

In other business:

• A motion was passed to reimburse the new Foster County Emergency Manager for her travel time when she has to make a trip to Foster County, but they will not reimburse her for her mileage because Foster County is her home office.

• Foster County Auditor Ellen Roundy reported that they did not get the grant for the door security system.

• The board approved the lease agreement for a new printer for public health.

• In a discussion about the ambulance building, Commissioner Scott Beumer inquired about when sleeping quarters were added in to the building.

He said if it was added in after the building was acquired by the county, then the county should not be responsible for updates to that part of the building.

More research is needed to determine when the sleeping quarters were added.

• A motion was passed to appoint Danielle Koepplin as the temporary Foster County Superintendent of Schools.

• The board passed a motion to allow the sheriff to purchase a new vehicle.

• The board asked Foster County State's Attorney Kara Brinster how her office is dealing with all her work in light of the two murder trials she has to prosecute.

She said she is getting help from surrounding state's attorneys, but at some point in the near future, she will be asking the board for help.

• Foster County Road Superintendent Nate Monson asked the board to set a date for bid opening for work on the McHenry Highway.

The board agreed to set the date for Tuesday, March 7th at 2:00 p.m. in the commissioners room with Mike Rivinius from Wold Engineering reporting to the commission at 4 p.m. that day.