Sedgwick County Commissioners on Wednesday voted to reinstate a position with the county health department to lead its Community Health Assessment process.
The project manager will oversee a wide-ranging health survey that’s done every three years to help set the county's public health goals.
The position was cut from the 2016 budget, then reinstated for 2017, and, earlier this year, cut again.
Commissioner Michael O’Donnell said he was "shortsighted" and "wrong" for voting to eliminate the position from the 2018 budget.
“We have a moral obligation and an elected obligation to support our health department," he said. "Arguably, after public safety, public health is the most important thing that we do.”
Next year's budget will now include the $46,000 salary for the project manager.
Only Commissioner Richard Ranzau voted against reinstating the position, saying it promotes a progressive agenda.
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