GPH Losing Litke, Lark – Search for Replacements Begins
Lake County General Health District recently announced it would be amicably divorcing from Geauga Public Health — taking back custody of its administrator and environmental health director.
Lake County General Health District recently announced it would be amicably divorcing from Geauga Public Health — taking back custody of its administrator and environmental health director.
GPH board Chairman Richard Piraino announced during a special meeting Dec. 5 that LCGHD sent a notice it plans to withdraw from its contract with GHP as of Jan. 31, 2023.
The separation means Adam Litke, who has been serving as administrator for both districts since September 2021, and Dan Lark, environmental health director since March 2022, will go back to solely serving LCGHD.
As a result, GPH board members agreed Monday to advertise for a district administrator and an environmental health director.
Piraino said the contract specified either board could get out of the contract by giving a 60-day notice and he shared his thoughts with the health board, LCGHD Commissioner Ron Graham and the sparse audience.
A couple of board members and Graham met last week to discuss issues that have arisen from the partnership, Piraino said.
“Adam Litke and Dan Lark will not be working here (after Jan. 31),” he said, adding the contract allows for early termination and a lot has been accomplished in the last 18 months.
“This has been a hard and a good year and a half. There were problems in the department we were not even aware of until you two came in,” Piraino said, listing the backlog on point-of-sale septic tank inspections, problems with people trying to sell their homes and “many, many court cases.”
“We did not have an operational maintenance department and we hope to get a program going by Jan. 1,” he said, noting there are a lot of problems related to operations.
The board revamped the agency two years ago with a full-time administrator and a part-time health commissioner. With Litke and Lark leaving, the board will need to fill both positions.
There are still issues in the human resources sector, Piraino said, specifically concerning the many public records requests.
Each document has to be vetted by a lawyer to avoid any HIPPA rule violations, so the cost of filling the requests could be close to $100,000, he said.
“That money comes out of our budget,” he said, adding it is money that can’t be used for the health of the community.
Piraino said he understands LCGHD’s board is concerned Litke, in an effort to help solve Geauga’s problems, has been putting in more than the 32 hours per week specified in the contract.
“Adam puts at least 60 hours a week in. He answers calls any time. He’s gone out of his way to try to improve this department,” Piraino said.
Finding qualified candidates for the two positions before Jan. 31, 2023, will take a lot of work, he said, and recommended GPH board members meet weekly rather than monthly until the problem is solved.
Graham, sitting in the audience, said he applauded the Geauga board and explained his board’s concerns that revolve around their budget for 2023.
“With the COVID money kinda tapering off, we have to be more efficient,” he said, adding the Lake County board is not trying to punish GPH by ending the contract. “There is no preconceived malicious intent.”
Graham said they don’t want to cut all ties with Geauga.
“We want to help and assist in the transition — anything we can do to help out,” he said, noting the desire for a transparent relationship.
GPH board member Mark Rood said there can be economies of scale if they can continue to work together without a contract.
Graham listed several changes accomplished since the two started working together about five years ago, including LCGHD taking over the Women, Infants and Children program with just one supervisor and providing more services; GPH receiving its accreditation; staffing changes; and enhanced grant writing.
Piraino noted collaboration between the two districts is a money-saver and finding replacements for Litke and Lark will be a challenge.
“It’s not like there’s qualified people all over to fill those positions,” he said. “I think this department’s never been run better than in the last two years.”
Carolyn Brakey said working together will be a benefit on both sides.
“I think we could make the districts more cost-effective and more efficient,” she said.
Board member Lynn Roman urged the positions be posted as soon as possible and supported having weekly meetings.
“From now to January 31 is a very short time,” she said.
The next two meetings at the Geauga County building on Ravenwood Drive will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19.
Litke said he may be able to donate his time after the end of January to assist with the transition. He asked about the salary range and, after discussion, the board agreed on $90,000 to $105,000 for the environmental health director and $110,000 to $135,000 for the administrator.
