Section 35-1-306 - Appointment of health officer and other personnel where departments not established; fees and charges for services; payment(a) In counties or municipalities where such departments are not established the boards of county commissioners or municipal governing body shall appoint the county or municipal health officer and other necessary personnel. The governing body of any combination of municipalities, counties, or municipalities and counties where such departments are not established may form a health district and appoint a district health officer thereof. The term of office for the county, municipal or district health officer shall be four (4) years unless sooner removed by the board of county commissioners, municipal or district governing body. The county, municipal or district health officer shall have a degree of doctor of medicine, be an advanced practice registered nurse as defined in W.S. 33-21-120(a)(i) or be a physician assistant as defined in W.S. 33-26-501(a)(iii). The county, municipal or district health officer shall assist the state department of health in carrying out the provisions of all health and sanitary laws and regulations of the state and shall complete continuing education in public health as directed by the local board of county commissioners, health district or municipal governing body.(b) Each part-time county, municipal, or district health officer shall receive a minimum compensation of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month and necessary travel expenses incurred while engaged in the duties of his office.(c) There is hereby authorized to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners, municipal, or district governing bodies so desiring, a deputy health officer, public health nurses, sanitarians, and such other public health personnel as may be deemed necessary to adequately protect the public health to serve under the county, municipal or district health officer. Such deputy health officer shall have the same authority in his area as the health officer and shall be compensated at a maximum rate of two-thirds the salary paid to the health officer of the county, municipality or district.(d) Each public health nurse, sanitarian, and such other professional public health personnel appointed under the provisions of this act shall meet the position specifications established by the state merit rule for such positions. Boards of county commissioners, municipal, or district governing bodies are authorized and empowered to make appropriations for the compensation and necessary expenses for such public health personnel from such unencumbered funds as may be available. Said boards shall have the power to set all salaries for all personnel.(e) Boards of county commissioners, municipal or district governing bodies may fix reasonable fees and charges for services, except for follow-up of communicable diseases and for individuals who receive services under the public health nursing infant home visitation subprogram created by W.S. 35-27-102. No person shall be denied necessary nursing services within the limits of available personnel because of an inability to pay the cost of such services. (i) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 127, § 2.(ii) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 127, § 2.(iii) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 127, § 2.(iv) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 127, § 2.(v) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 127, § 2.(f) Payment, in whole or in part for such services may be accepted from any person. Payment of any charges due may be accepted from a local county, state or federal public assistance agency or any combination thereof; or from any individual, governmental agency, or corporation, public or private, when such services are provided any person, including but not limited to a recipient of any type of social security aids administered by the federal or state governments, or a recipient of direct relief.(g) All monies collected or appropriated hereunder shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the county, municipality or district, as the case may be, for credit to a county, municipal, or district health fund in the manner provided in W.S. 35-1-304, for county, municipal, and district health departments. Any monies credited to said fund shall be expended only for the compensation and necessary expenses for such public health personnel and claims or demand against said fund shall be allowed upon certification by the health officer or a designated member of the governing board.Amended by Laws 2021 , ch. 49, § 1, eff. 7/1/2021.