St. Clair County Board Set for Final Vote on Health Department Leadership and Restructuring

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners Human Services Committee meets Thursday evening to take final action on new three-year employment agreements for the county’s top two public health leaders and a reorganization of clinical staff.

Rebuilding the Leadership Agreements

Thursday’s vote follows a five-to-two vote by commissioners in July against advancing an earlier draft of Medical Director Doctor Remington Nevin’s contract. Following that rejection, the board agreed unanimously to bring back a revised contract for the August committee meeting.

While previous agreements for both Nevin and Health Officer Liz King contained automatic annual renewal provisions, county leaders chose to replace those evergreen clauses with fixed three-year terms running through August 19, 2029. The updated agreements aim to establish clear operational boundaries between administrative management and medical oversight following months of reported internal disputes.

Distinct Roles and Governance

The companion contracts strictly separate administrative and medical authority within the health department while establishing a formal procedure to resolve internal disputes.

Under the proposed terms, King manages internal administrative operations, department budgeting, personnel decisions, and strategic planning, while Nevin holds sole authority over medical policies, standards of care, treatment protocols, and standing health orders.

Should professional disagreements arise between administration and medical direction, the contracts mandate that both leaders give equal deference to each other’s domain, with unresolved conflicts submitted directly to the County Administrator for a final decision.

Creating the Deputy Medical Director Role

Commissioners will also vote on a manning table change converting a vacant nurse practitioner position into a new Deputy Medical Director role.

The position will be filled by a certified physician assistant or nurse practitioner working under the direct and exclusive supervision of Doctor Nevin. The deputy will provide direct clinical services for communicable diseases, sexually transmitted infection treatment, and family planning, while taking on expanded roles in travel medicine consultations, vaccine counseling, and tuberculosis management.

The deputy will also represent Nevin at local clinical meetings during his physical absence, ensuring consistent medical leadership on site at local clinics.

Thursday’s meeting gets underway at 6pm at the County Administration Building, 200 Grand River Ave., Port Huron.