Health District of Northern Larimer County, Board of Directors 1/23/25

Public Comments Point to Intense Disagreement on Direction of Leadership

Board President Molly Gutilla began the meeting by reading letters of support for the board and its 2025 strategic plan:

Some of the letters and in-person comments expressed excitement to support new generations, plans to address challenges currently facing the board, and the direction the board wants to take in the new year. One of the health district’s doctors expressed in a letter to the board his support for the 2025 strategic plan and a new generation of changes. A member of the Larimer County Board of Directors for the North Colorado Health Alliance wrote that he is excited to support the board. His letter stated that change can lead to resistance, but the strategic plan addresses the challenges and is a thoughtful roadmap.

In person, Averil Strand, offered her concerns in a letter to the board:

She said she was representing a group of 11 past members and citizens who felt they had been berated and retaliated against. This group said they were not offered any legal guidance, and the staff was viewed as incompetent and alienating. She said there were claims made by previous staff regarding financial mismanagement and defensiveness from some in the finance department. The commenter also said 29 employees have recently resigned and another 8 employees are scheduled for reassignment. She said there is a toxic work environment in the Finance department, the IT staff have resigned, and nurses have been laid off.

In a letter submitted to the board, Lee Thielen, who served as Interim Director for the Health District prior to the hiring of the current Executive Director Lianne Jollon, suggested future steps for course direction:

1. Appoint a qualified neutral 3^rd party to conduct a 360-degree review.
2. Perform an intensive review of financial reforms
3. Place a hold on all major changes currently under consideration until the review is complete
4. Create, share, and implement a detailed plan for gathering meaningful input from staff, public, community partners, and clients.

After Thielen spoke, several others online and in-person continued to praise the board and directors for the work they do in the community and for the Health District. A current staff member said regardless of policy, he thinks President Gutilla is a good captain who has a good crew. He said, “Let it play out instead of going with whims against her.”

Tom Linnell, a previous board member, told a story about smelling smoke and having a fire in the building when he was on the board. He said at first, no one believed him until eventually the fire department was called and they said get out immediately: there’s a fire! Tom said the point to his story is that this smells like smoke and should be checked out. He said, “Bring in a 3^rd party. Is there a problem? Let’s find out.”

2025 Board of Directors Election

Compliance Officer Wheeler gave the timeline for the 2025 election process.

• January 27, 2025 (100 days before the election; Sunday, January 26): First day for calls for nominations, published in the Coloradoan and the Health District website per requirements and organizational practice.
• February 20, 2025 (75 days before the election): Last day for DEO to publish a call for nominations.
• February 28, 2025 (67 days before the election): Nomination petition deadline.
• Wheeler announced that the League of Women Voters would hold a candidate forum closer to the elections.

The meeting also included detailed staff summary reports beginning on page 29 of the packet and covering the following topics:

1. Family Dental Clinic
2. Health care access to Connect, Prescription assistance, Outreach and Education
3. Mental Health connection
4. Research and evaluation of internal programs
5. Community health survey, impact team and community engagement
6. Health equity

The meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m.

Next Meeting

Feb. 27, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m. 120 Bristlecone Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80524; or Zoom

Board Members’

President Molly Gutilla, Vice President Julie Kunce Field, Compliance Officer Katie Wheeler, Secretary John McKay, Treasurer Joseph Prows, Assistant Treasurer Erin Hottenstein

Leadership Team

The Health District is governed by a five-member board of directors whose members serve staggered terms. Members are elected at large from the community.

Executive Director Lianne Jollon, Deputy Director of Operations Abby Worthen, Deputy Director of Administration Courtney Green, HR Director Misty Manchester, Director of Planning, Policy, Research, and Evaluation Alyson Williams, Health Service Director Dana Turner

Others Present

Previous staff members, board members and several representatives from the Larimer County League of Women Voters.

Meeting agenda and packet

Recorded Meeting:

*Citizen Observers further the commitment of the League of Women Voters to its principle of Citizens Right to Know, however, we are not acting as journalists. Omissions and errors are possible. It is assumed that users of this information are responsible for their own fact-checking. This could include contacting a government clerk, conversing with an elected official or staff, and/or asking us to speak to the Observer who attended.