In her last official meeting as administrator of the county health department, Emily Tokheim thanked the department staff “for support and guidance” during her tenure which began November 2021, adding, “It was nothing but positive.”

Tokheim, whose last day is Thursday, Feb. 29, resigned to take a position with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services in Des Moines. The Washington position was her first following graduation from the University of Iowa.

Following her resignation, the board approved posting the vacancy through the month of February with the application deadline set at March 1. Prior to the position the job description was reviewed by Amber Armbruster, county Human Resources. At that time a salary range of $75,000 to $95,000 was authorized, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

The board agreed at that time it would not seek an interim director with the administrative duties filled by existing staff until a new administrator is hired. During the meeting, Peggy Wood was granted signatory privileges for the agency and Karrisa Fisher appointed HIPPA Privacy officer.

During the meeting it was noted there had been several applications submitted and that the hiring process including application reviews and interviews would be done by board members.

In other business, the board approved monthly financial reports; reviewed the Cease and Desist Order information and reviewed the fiscal 2025 state Local Public Health Services funding utilization.