IOWA CITY

Danielle Pettit-Majewski, Johnson County Public Health Director, did not have an easy time in attempting to create a staff position focused on the department’s performance, training and recruiting.

Appearing before the Board of Supervisors at its work session March 30, Pettit-Majewski pitched the idea of changing the staff position of county epidemiologist,  currently vacant, to Performance Improvement and Accreditation Coordinator.

“I know it seems odd after a pandemic to say we’re not going to fill an epidemiologist position,” she said, “but really what we’re seeing is we need people who are focused on ensuring that our entire workforce is prepared, is ready for what comes next.”

Board chair Royceann Porter and vice chair Lisa Green-Douglass indicated their opposition to eliminating the epidemiologist position. Green-Douglass asked Pettit-Majewski why that job was not yet filled.

“The pieces that led to there being a need for that position haven’t gone away,” Green-Douglass said.

Pettit-Majewski, who was director of Washington County’s public health department before becoming director in Johnson County last year, said the new staffer would have epidemiologist duties in addition to primarily focusing on training and preparing the department for more Covid issues or other pandemics.

“How can we make sure that we are doing our work effectively?” Pettit-Majewski said. “How can we make sure that we are doing our work efficiently? How can we make sure that we’re not missing things? How can we make sure that we’re reaching all of the populations that we need to reach? We want to make sure that our opportunities are constantly improving so that we are able to serve our community as fast as possible.”

At the end of the lengthy discussion, there was not an informal vote of the supervisors and the request did not appear on the March 31 formal agenda.

At its formal session March 31, the board approved an agreement with the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) that will fund a staff expansion benefiting Lone Tree and other rural areas in Johnson County. The agreement covers payments of $212,000 over Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024.

The board also approved a fireworks permit for a Pyrotechnics Guild International safety class and display being planned for April 30 by the Stumptown Shooters. The display will begin at 8 p.m. off River Junction Road between Riverside and Lone Tree.

The board issued proclamations in honor of County Government Month for April and Public Health Week, April 4-10.

The board will hold its next formal meeting at 9 a.m. April 7.