Leidel announces resignation as health department administrator

   Clinton County Health Department administrator Chris Leidel announced his resignation during the Clinton County Board meeting on Monday, Aug. 17. His last day will be Sept. 29.
    Leidel was hired by the board of health in December 2020 to replace Sean Eifert, who had been serving in an interim capacity.
    Leidel thanked the county board and the board of health for being very supportive of him.
    "You took a chance on a very green administrator and I hope that I have left the department in a better place than what it was when I got here," Leidel said. "It was doing great, but I hope I made it get better."
    Leidel said Clinton County is a special place and he will cherish his time as the administrator. All of the residents should feel like that they have a great local government that works hard to make their lives better.
    Clinton County board chairman Brad Knolhoff said he hates to see Leidel go, but the board understands it is for the best of himself and his family.
    "You saw us through an transitional period and we built a new health department building under your guidance," Knolhoff said. "You have done an outstanding job. On behalf of the board, we wish you all of the best.
    The ribbon cutting for the new Clinton County Health Department building on Franklin Street in Carlyle was on April 5, 2024. 
    Leidel said he will still be around until the end of September and wants to make sure it is as smooth a transition as possible.
    Qualifications for a public health administrator are a master's degree in public health from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or other regional, nationally-recognized accrediting agency and two years of full-time administrative experience in public health.
    Another qualification is a graduate degree in a related field from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or other regional, nationally-recognized accrediting agency, which may include but shall not be limited to a master's degree in public administration, nursing, environmental health, community health, health education, and two years of full-time administrative experience in public health.
    Another qualification is a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or other regional, nationally-recognized accrediting agency, and four years of full-time administrative experience, of which at least two years must be in public health.