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The Yakima Health District Board of Health voted to fire its executive director, Andre Fresco, at its monthly board meeting on May 27. 

At the time of his dismissal, he was on leave for seven months, Yakima Health District spokesperson Stephanie Ruiz told the ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÉç. 

There was no discussion before the vote, which was 9-0 in favor of termination, with one board member, Katherine Saluskin, not present. 

Following the vote, Patricia Byers, chair of the Board of Health, thanked Fresco for his collaboration with the community in the course of his work. 

"I"d like to express appreciation for the 14 years that Mr. Fresco took the leadership role here at the Yakima Health District and the work that he did," Byers said. 

In an email, Byers told the Herald-Republic that Fresco's termination was discussed during executive session. 

"Personnel issue discussions takes place during executive session, and are protected by (state codes). Coming out of executive session a motion was made to terminate Mr. Fresco’s position with the Yakima Health District. That is all that I can share," Byers said. 

Fresco has led the organization since 2012. He and his family moved from Tennessee, where he served as health director for Montgomery County and managed the Rutherford County Health District. He holds a master's in public administration with a specialization in health care management, according to a Herald-Republic article from 2012. 

He oversaw the organization through multiple public health challenges, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ruiz offered the following statement she said she received from the Yakima Health District attorney Chris Mertens regarding the termination:

"There was a lengthy period of missed time, that the board determined they need to have an executive director in place, as he had been appointed as the administrative officer by statute, and there is a leadership vacuum and a pressing need for management coverage for the organization that can no longer be delayed."

A job listing has not yet been posted for the executive director search, Ruiz said. 

At its Jan. 28 meeting, the board approved for Chief Operating Officer Ryan Ibach, as he was performing duties normally handled by Fresco. Ibach will continue to serve as interim executive director, Ruiz said.  

The Yakima Health District is an independent governmental organization mandated by state law to provide disease prevention, solid and hazardous waste services, food handler education and certification, among other duties. It is supervised by the Board of Health. 

The Board of Health is made up of the three county commissioners, two local municipality officials, four citizen members, and one tribal representative.

That includes Yakima County Commissioners Kyle Curtis, LaDon Linde, and Amanda McKinney; Yakima City Council member Patricia Byers, Tieton Council member Lupita Carrillo, Edie Dribble, Dr. Jennifer Maxwell, Alicia Stromme Tobin, Daylene Ackerman and tribal representative Katherine Saluskin.

This article has been updated to correct the meeting date, to include board member Dr. Jennifer Maxwell and clarify that comments were made by the health district attorney.

Additionally, the Herald-Republic has requested more information about the board's decision to terminate Fresco. By press time, a request for comment to Fresco was not answered.