County, hospital plan transition of Valley County Health Department to FMDH; commissioners cautious about costs

Nick Dirkes, chief executive officer of Faith Medical & District Hospital (FMDH), told Valley County commissioners the hospital board has voted to move forward with combining the Valley County Health Department into FMDH despite a likely short‑term negative effect on the hospital’s budget. Dirkes said FMDH sees value in the consolidation and plans to begin organizational meetings; the county annex building remains a possible location for the department.

County Health Director Michelle Merritt, who is planning to leave her post July 9, provided status updates on claims processing. Commissioners pressed for continuity of billing and administrative functions during any transition; Commissioner Paul Tweten said the board expects details about staffing and claims management before approving a final transfer.

At a subsequent department‑head meeting nurses Lydia Moore‑Hicks and Ashley Robinson asked whether the health department should apply for a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant (application deadline April 7) to replace expired automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in county facilities. The commissioners said they would consult FMDH legal counsel and CEO Dirkes about whether to proceed while the agency transition is pending.

Commissioners and County Attorney Dylan Jensen noted the desirability of an explicit agreement between the county and FMDH to govern the transfer, and county legal counsel asked that any written agreement be in place before Merritt’s departure. Dirkes and county staff discussed continuing to use the Annex as a clinic location during the early phase of integration.

The commissioners did not take formal action on the transfer during the meetings recorded in February; they asked staff to provide more detail on projected costs and on who would handle claims and other billing functions during and after the proposed consolidation. The county and FMDH plan follow‑up organizational meetings.