St. Clair County Commissioners have approved a proposal to change the form of leadership at the St. Clair County Health Department. Under a plan that passed 4-to-2 during Thursday afternoon’s meeting, commissioners will seek to hire a full-time Health Officer position and part-time Medical Officer. Currently, Dr. Annette Mercatante serves in both capacities as Medical Health Officer.
Commissioner David Rushing, who has been a vocal opponent of Mercatante’s school mask mandate that was in effect for much of last month, introduced the proposal. Asked by WPHM if he is reasonably confident they could fill the position, he said yes, citing the over $100,000 salary and part-time nature of the new medical officer position.
“For a 16 hour position for $100,000 pay, I think we will get applicants for it,” said Rushing. He added that Dr. Mercatante is welcome to apply for the new positions. “That would be an option for the county commissioners to consider, and continue business as usual.” Rushing says if the position goes unfilled, the state would take over the health department, something he says he is not in favor of.
Other commissioners doubted that they will be able to find qualified applicants to fill the position by the time Mercatante’s contract is up in June. A similar vacancy has yet to be filled in Oakland County.
The annual salary of the new Public Health Officer would be approximately $120,000 and the Medical Officer’s salary would be about $102,000 annually. The proposal would cost the county approximately $28,000 annually more than the current agreement with Mercatante. Rushing says that money will come from the county’s general fund, describing it as “a very minimal” amount.
Asked by WPHM if the move to split the health director’s duties into two positions was a way to remove Mercatante from her position without having to fire her, Rushing said it was “definitely not”. State statute forbids public health officers from being fired. Only two other health departments in Michigan operate like St. Clair County, with the rest opting to split the public health duties between two individuals.
