Commission approves interim public health clinic and family services manager

RILEY COUNTY — The Riley County Commission voted March 2 to approve an interim public health clinic and family services manager as the health department restructures two supervisory roles into one.

Diane Creek, Riley County health department director, told the board the clinic had been operating without a dedicated supervisor since October and staff had expressed concerns about limited structured leadership. She said combining the clinic supervisor and maternal-and-child-health supervisor into a single interim manager would reduce silos and allow the department to evaluate long-term staffing needs.

"Approving the interim manager will allow the department to develop a solid, sustainable, long term organizational plan rather than making just a quick permanent staffing decision," Creek said, adding that the interim compensation adjustment would remain below an 8% increase over the previously budgeted position cost and would be funded from existing health department funds included in the 2026 budget.

Commissioner McKinley moved to approve the interim position; Commissioner Ford seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Commissioners said the appointment is intended as a trial for about three months, at which point the department will reassess and — if needed — return with a proposal for a permanent reclassification and full fiscal analysis.

Creek said clinical medical decisions will continue to be made by existing clinical staff, including the nurse practitioner, three registered nurses and the medical director; the interim manager's role is primarily administrative and supervisory.

The commission did not identify the interim appointee at the meeting. Creek said staffing changes supported by any cost savings from combining positions would be presented to the commission for final approval.