Get to know your Dallas County Board of Health

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The five people serving on your local Board of Health oversee the operation of the Dallas County Health Department, including Environmental Health Services. This group of citizen volunteers works toward the goal of having a healthy population in safe, healthy communities and environments.

The board is currently composed of Chairperson Kim Chapman of Adel, Vice Chairperson Monty N. Button of Earlham and members Dr. Josh Kindt of Clive, Samantha Uhlenhake of West Des Moines and Lina Tucker Reinders of Clive. Kindt is the board’s medical director. Chapman also sits on the Dallas County Board of Supervisors.

The Dallas County Board of Health has proved itself nimble in continuing to function during the ongoing public health crisis of COVID-19. The board, which meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Dallas County administrative offices at 902 Court St. in Adel, has always been open to the public and is now are even more accessible virtually. Look for the Zoom weblink in the posted agenda.

Every Dallas County Board of Health meeting, like other local government boards, includes an opportunity for community input and expression of opinion. You may find both the current agenda and past meeting minutes on the Dallas County website.

The board of health has provided oversight of coronavirus testing and vaccinations this past year, but the regular business of public health hasn’t come to a halt. The board continues to monitor many areas, such as private septic and well permits and inspections, recycling and follow-up reportable infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and others.

Work also continues on the goals of our community needs assessment, which can be examined in detail on the Dallas County website.

Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator for the Dallas County Public Health Department.

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