MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Health terminated the employment of Brian Benick, environmental health director at the health department. The action was taken at the board’s meeting Monday night.
The meeting was moved to Monday from its regularly scheduled meeting tonight in order to take up the matter. According to Health Commissioner Dennis Murray, the termination took effect immediately.
“Following executive session at its meeting Monday evening, the board of health approved the termination of Environmental Health Director Brian Benick with the health department,” Murray said. “He was terminated for insubordination and had been on administrative leave as of last Tuesday.”
Murray said the vote was 6 to 2 in favor of termination. Murray will take over as interim environmental services director, which is his background. The board will institute a search for a new director immediately.
In other business Monday:
•Murray was authorized by the board to enter into a contract with the Knox County Commissioners to provide the litter prevention education program on behalf of the DKMM Solid Waste District. This had previously been done by the Knox County OSU Extension. Health educator Mike Whitiker will be in charge of the program.
•The board hired Kimberly Humbert as a full-time service coordinator for the Help Me Grow Program.
•Murray was authorized by the board to enter into a personal services contract with Aimee Aune to provide physical therapy services for home health.
•Three purchases were approved as part of the board’s emergency response grant funding. Purchases were for an office copier, a portable smart board and a small trailer to transport health department supplies to clinics.
•Lee Rhoades was re-elected board president; Laura Haberman was elected as board president pro-tem. Meeting dates and times will remain the same.
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