Health board could increase by 2 members

The Douglas County Commission agreed on Wednesday that the Health Department board should be increased by two members to a total of seven.

“It seems like a good idea to me to have another couple sets of eyes,” said County Commissioner Jim Flory.

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department leaders said they are targeting people from specific disciplines for the two positions. Health Department Director Dan Partridge said they would like to see one member from Kansas University and another from the business community.

“As we looked at what we thought were the community health issues in this county … a lot of issues are in that college population and that’s what led us down the path of some college representation,” Partridge said.

A resolution will be brought to the commission soon to expand the Health Department board to seven members.

If it passes, the resolution would still need to clear the City Commission and the Health Department board.