Hardin County approves appointment of Whitney Heinicke as Health Services director; Commissioner Cooper abstains

The Hardin County Commissioners' Court appointed Mrs. Whitney Heinicke as Director of Hardin County Health Services, effective May 4, 2026. The County Judge recommended the appointment; Commissioner Chris Kirkendall moved the appointment and Commissioner Amanda Young seconded. The motion carried; the minutes record Commissioner L. W. "Nubbin' Cooper Jr." as abstaining and the other four members voting in favor.

During the same meeting the court approved an Affiliation Agreement between Hardin County Health Services and Lamar Institute of Technology to permit Associate of Applied Science in Nursing students to use county facilities and equipment for clinical training. That agreement was approved unanimously.

The appointment is recorded as effective May 4, 2026. County staff were directed to complete standard onboarding and agreement execution tasks following the court's authorization.