Monroe County Councilors on Tuesday voted 5-2 to reject a request from the Monroe County Health Department to reclassify and increase the hours for the health services director position, a move the department said was needed to meet new grant-driven duties.

The council’s vote follows extended discussion about grant timing, budget authority and the department’s staffing needs. Miss Kelly, a Health Department representative, told councilors, “We have the funds already set aside that the state has approved for these DIS services in this position.” She said the state had signaled support for a budget revision and that it could take three to six months to train Disease Intervention Specialists even after hiring.

Supporters of the change argued the role combines clinical and administrative responsibilities that are unusual for the department and said reclassification would allow the department to recruit candidates with nursing and supervisory experience. Councilor Decker, who voted in favor, said he backed the change “because I see a lot of really massive challenges in the future” and pressed that the department be prepared for possible state funding cuts.

Opponents focused on process and parity with other county managers. Multiple councilors noted that classification reviews by the county’s personnel consultant had repeatedly returned the 35-hour PAT-D classification. Councilor Haug/Hawk and Councilor Henry said approving an exception risked creating inequities across departments and setting precedents for other managers to seek reclassification. Henry said he remained a “no,” citing fiscal stewardship.

Two members of the public addressed the council on the issue. Aurora DiOrio of the Monroe County Board of Health said the board had been trying to address the department’s staffing structure and that the board thought alternatives—such as a deputy position—had been restricted. Christine, a former county health clinic nurse, told councilors that turnover and departmental culture would affect recruitment, saying, “If health department leadership wants to attract and retain strong candidates, I really think they need to reckon with their reputation and culture.”

After public comment and final remarks, the roll-call vote failed 5 to 2. The council recorded no alternative motion to re-open or amend the classification during this meeting.

The council and health department discussed several possible follow-ups during the meeting, including internal budget transfers the department said it could make and the department’s intention to post an advertised 35-hour position if the reclassification did not pass. Miss Kelly said she would “figure it out” and pursue training and hiring within existing program funds if possible.

The council’s decision was procedural: this was a second-reading change to the 2025 salary ordinance. Because the motion failed, the classification remains as it was on the county salary schedule.