WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 07/11/2025 WICHITA FALLS-WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD MINUTES
4 �courmpe July 11, 2025
110+).
Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District
s 1700 Third Street — Clements Conference Room
I Wichita Falls, Texas
Public Health
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Keith Williamson. M D. Chair Physician —City Appointment
Melissa Plowman Restaurant Association —City Appointment
Jered Harlan, DVM Veterinarian —City Appointment
Ray Forsythe Citizen At-Large—County Appointment
Dr. Morgen Gardner Dentist—County Appointment
BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED ABSENCE:
Terri Farabee, RN Registered Nurse—City Appointment
Rachel Reitan, DNP, FNP-c Citizen At-Large—City Appointment
OTHERS PRESENT:
Amy K. Fagan, M.P.A. Director of Health
Brandi Smith, BS. RN Assistant Director of Health
Whitney Flack City Councilor
Denorah Leal Texas Tech Vet Student
I. CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Williamson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm after a quorum of members was
attained.
Dr. Williamson asked for everyone to introduce themselves because we have new faces. We
have Dr. Morgen Gardner, she is the new Dentist on the Board. We also have Denorah Leal.
She is a 4th year Veterinary student at Texas Tech and is working with Dr. Harlan for a month
this summer.
II. Approval of Minutes &Absences
Dr. Williamson called for a review and approval of the March 21, 2025 minutes.
Dr. Williamson asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Melissa Plowman made a motion to approve
and Ray Forsythe seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Dr. Williamson stated that Terri Farabee & Rachel Reitan are out and excused.
III. New Member Induction
Marsha Jetton, Notary and Executive Assistant, gave the oath of office to Dr. Morgen Gardner. She
will be the new Dentist on the Board of Health.
IV. Body Art Ordinance Update
Dr. Williamson introduced Samantha Blair, Environmental Health Administrator. Samantha gave an
update on the Body Art Ordinance. She said it passed unanimously at the Wichita Falls City Council
meeting on June 3, 2025. It was effective on July 3�d
Partial refunds were issued to studios who had remaining time on their studio permits.
Environmental Legislative Update:
Samantha continued to explain about 3 Senate Bills that passed that will effect Environmental Health.
She went over permits and the legislative session. Including fees and delivery of food. The permits &
fees will affect us locally.
SB 1008 is effective 9/1/25. Relating to state and local authority to regulate the food service
Industry. It limits local permits to only those facilities that DSHS permits. (eliminates: daycares,
nursing facilities, schools (the state inspects but does not permit them)).
Limits annual fee amount to the amount DSHS would charge biannually ($773 brick and mortar/
$258 mobile)
Fee schedules submitted to the state. Stakeholder Notice, Sound Regulations and Delivery of
Food.
SB 541 is effective 9/1/25. Relating to cottage food production operations.
Cottage Food is Not - meat, meat products, poultry, or poultry products; seafood, including seafood
products, fish, fish products, shellfish and shellfish products; ice or ice products, including shaved ice,
ice cream, frozen custard, popsicles and gelato; low-acid canned goods; products containing
cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol; or raw milk and raw milk products.
Annual Gross income is up to $150,000
Update labeling — removed home address
Cottage Food Vendor— register with state
TCS Food — state registration, dating, disclosures.
HB 2844 is effective 7/1/26 except section 437B.004, Health and Safety Code, as added by this act
takes effect 9/1/25.
Relating to the regulation of food service establishments, including retail food stores and mobile food
vendors; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Small-Scale food business (gross <$1.5 mil) — if permitted by the state.
Mobile food permitting authority moves to DSHS.
DSHS will develop a database of mobile units.
DSHS can contract with local to do inspections and locals can request reimbursement.
Eliminates commissaries.
Melissa asked about how many food trucks we have in Wichita County and how often are they
inspected. She also asked about food borne illness?
Samantha stated that we have between 60— 100 food trucks and they are inspected the same as brick
and mortar.
With this legislative change the Health District can investigate food borne illness complaints, but can't
shut them down. We will only be able to report them to the State. We are considering going into
contract with DSHS.
Amy spoke about the inspections and our concerns.
Samantha talked about Zone 17 in Wichita County, where the first positive mosquito pool of mosquitos
of West Nile Virus this year was collected on 7/1/25 and reported from the lab on 7/9/25.
Samantha said we should continue to protect ourselves from West Nile Virus. We know it is in our
community.
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Whitney Flack asked about when the trucks spray. Samantha said we post to the interactive mosquito
map and updated it every Tuesday. They do spray mostly at night and early morning because the wind
needs to be greater than one and less than 10 MPH. Sometimes it is 3 am or 4 am in the morning.
Environmental has asked for a new style sprayer. It will cover a larger area of land and hopefully reach
more open areas.
V. Funding Update
Amy spoke about the funding of local Health Departments. She talked about our services in testing
and cut backs, state funding and the need for the small Health Departments verses big ones.
The Federal budget is looking at less money coming to Public Health, which may result in cut backs in
services. But, we need to have stability, good benefits and do good work. It will be challenging, but
she thinks it will be okay. We have a great staff that do amazing things.
Melissa asked if our state legislature person can help us. Amy said it has been very challenging to
navigate and Rep. Frank's office has been helpful and receptive to feedback. She is learning a lot and
has volunteered to be the chair for our legislature group for TACCHO.
Next Meeting Date
September 12, 2025.
VI. Adjourn
Dr. Williamson adjourned the meeting at 1:00 pm.
4/4:
Sig t re
Keith Williamson, MD, Chair, Rachel Reitan, DNP, FNP-c, Vice-Chair,
Melissa Plowman, Secretary
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