Kentucky Revised Statutes Title XVIII. Public Health § 212.170.Appointment of health officers; assistant; employees; appeals

(1) The county board of health of each county having a county department of health shall, subject to the approval of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, appoint a health officer who shall, subject to merit system provisions, hold office at the pleasure of both the county board and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

(2) A health officer may:

(3) A health officer may appoint an administrative assistant for each county served by him subject to the approval of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. An administrative assistant shall exercise such duties as may be delegated to him by the health officer.

(4) A health officer may employ and fix the compensation of, by contract or otherwise, subject to the approval of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, all medical, technical, clerical, professional, and other employees necessary for the maintenance and operation of the local health department in accordance with standards and merit system provisions prescribed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

(5) In the absence of a local health officer, the secretary for health and family services or his duly appointed representative shall serve as health officer for the county concerned.

(6) Appeals under the local health department merit system shall be conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B.