Speakers outline HR hotline, internal reports and timeline of complaints at health department

Several public commenters presented a chronology of internal documents they said shows repeated employee concerns about workplace conduct at the St. Clair County Health Department. Speakers cited a November 2024 HR investigative report, a December 2024 hotline-review committee letter that recommended further inquiry, and more recent emails and memos provided to the board.

"The county established an anonymous hotline in 2011 to encourage employees to report concerns about fraud, ethics, and compliance issues without fear of retaliation," said Joanna Jones while reading a 2024 memo to the board. Sherry Mercurio summarized the timeline she said includes an HR investigative report (November 2024), a hotline‑committee letter (December 2024), reminders in June 2025 and new patient and staff complaints in July 2025. Commenters urged the board to review the attached reports and consider an outside investigator to ensure objectivity.