To: Board of County Commissioners
From: Joshua Freeman, Director of Administration
title
RE: Administrative Health Officer Appointment
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of the appointment of Michelle Estell as the Administrative Health Officer for Genesee County’s Health Department.
BACKGROUND:
Genesee County’s previous Medical Health Officer resigned in December 2023. Deputy Health Officer, Michelle Estell, became the Interim Health Officer at that time. She has continued to serve in that role until now. The State of Michigan reviewed her qualifications and approved her interim status until June of 2024, when their expectation was that a permanent Administrative Health Officer would be appointed. During that time, in discussions with the Chairperson of Human Services, it was determined that a request for her permanent appointment be brought to the Board for consideration.
DISCUSSION:
Previously, Genesee County operated with a Medical Health Officer. With the resignation of the previous Officer, it was suggested that this position be split into two positions as had previously been the practice here: Administrative Health Officer and a Medical Director. With the appointment of a Medical Director now underway (an appointment of the Health Officer per state law), we now need to appoint a permanent Administrative Health Officer. As was previously communicated, the State of Michigan has approved the interim status only through June 2024. With that deadline quickly approaching and coming from the recent pandemic, the Health Department needs stability within leadership. The current Interim Officer has been with the county for several years in various capacities including as Deputy Director of the department. Having been approved by the State to serve in this role, and with the support of the Human Services Committee Chairperson Winfrey, we recommend the her permanent appointment.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
No further impact on HR with this appointment.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no further impact for budget with this appointment. The salary set forth in the resolution is minimally different from the current rate of pay. Additionally, with the resignation of the previous Medical Health Officer, substantial savings have been realized over the last several months.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
No further impact on facilities with this appointment.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
There will be no further impact on technology with this appointment.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This appointment is consistent with the County’s priority of creating a Healthy, Livable & Safe Community.
esolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, hereby appoints Michelle Estell to the position of Genesee County Administrative Health Officer (“Health Officer”), said appointment being contingent upon State of Michigan approval, said position being an exempt position under the County’s Personnel Policy Manual, the holder of which serves at the pleasure of this Board, and the duties of the Health Officer shall be those presently prescribed in the job description for the position, those prescribed by statute, and those prescribed by the Board of Commissioners from time to time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ms. Estell’s base annualized salary shall be $142,000.00 and that unless or until rescinded or modified by action of this Board, the Health Officer shall receive, in addition to the base salary, all other allowances and benefits currently in effect for County Department Heads in general, in accordance with, and subject to, established County personnel policies, and subject to such variations in benefits as are dependent upon date of commencement of County employment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board reserves all authority it has to rescind or modify, through future action, the salaries, allowances and benefits of all County-funded personnel positions, including but not limited to rescinding or modifying any salary adjustment provided in this resolution.