Macon County delays action on health board consolidation
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Macon County has delayed action on consolidating its health board and seems to have taken a commissioner takeover completely off the table.
On July 8, commissioners began working on a strategy to create a consolidated human services agency with the aim of reducing what multiple people called “silos” that can allow government authorities to operate inefficiently or even perhaps in direct opposition to each other without even knowing it.
As people filed in for the public hearing, an overflow room had to open up to accommodate everyone who wanted to listen, most of whom seemed stand in stark opposition to a commission takeover. While many came to the public comment session ready to speak strongly against the idea that the commissioners could assume control of the agency with the power to hire and fire employees and decide policy and procedures. However, they were met with a surprise.
The draft resolution that was passed out to members of the public was for creation of a consolidated human services agency beginning in 2026. At that time, the previous board of health would be terminated, and commissioners would appoint new board members.
Commenters lamented the quick pivot by commissioners, with many noting that they were prepared to address the possibility that the commissioners may in fact take over the health board. Still, there was plenty to say. For example, Constance Neeley talked about broader concerns with public health, including rapid and drastic changes at the federal level under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. More locally, she voiced her concern over what she called “bullying” of the health board by commissioners during the fact-finding process.
Many simply asked the commissioners to hold off on voting for at least a month, to give both those elected officials and members of the public time to gain a full understanding of what that change might look like.
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Also commenting were health department employees Jessica Jones and Jamie Rodgers, who reiterated what other employees had said during earlier public meeting, that there were serious issues with morale that need to be addressed one way or the other, or as Rodgers put it, a “lack of leadership and corrective actions.”
Following the public comment session, new health board Director Garrett Higdon, appointed just days prior, thanked the board for highlighting the “ongoing problem” with the health department. While he promised that the board is dedicated to fostering trust between members, employees and the public, there was still much work to be done.
“Our board has not had time to discuss what the new processes would be either,” he said, adding that he thinks it’s best that the board remain intact as is until members have time to discuss what consolidation may look like.
While Commissioner John Shearl, also a member of the board, motivated by how many health department employees had voiced concerns and frustration to him, wanted to vote to consolidate right away. However, that view wasn’t shared by his fellow commissioners. For example, Commissioner Gary Shields said he’d prefer to wait and nail down the details.
“Let’s do it right the first time,” Shields said.
“I think just in good faith, I say give the current board right now some time to implement this,” said Commissioner Danny Antoine.
The board ultimately decided to table the matter at this point.
Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, that a new board would likely mean a new director appointment, on Friday, Sept. 11, Macon County announced the retirement of Public Health Director Kathy McGaha, who will sign off on 30 years of service in the county at the end of 2025. The release noted that McGaha’s leadership during the pandemic and beyond were marked by “resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to equity and community well-being.”
“Kathy’s vision and leadership have transformed our department into a more agile, inclusive and community-centered organization,” said Garrett Higdon, Board of Health Chairman, in the release. “Her legacy will continue to shape public health in Macon County for years to come.”
