News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy is seen handing over property of the health department that was in Denise Bryan’s possession following the board’s vote to terminate their contract with DHD2. Bryan left the meeting immediately after the vote.

ROGERS CITY — Michael Newman, District Health Department No. 4 (DHD4) secretary, began the health board meeting on Tuesday with a motion to terminate their contract with District Health Department No. 2 (DHD2), thus releasing Denise Bryan, DHD4 administrative health officer, from her contractual obligations with DHD4.

Lloyd Peltier, DHD4 health board chair, took over as interim administrative health officer.

Health board members approved the contract termination and Bryan was instructed to turn over her laptop, keys, and any property belonging to DHD4.

Peltier also asked Bryan to turn over any cards linked to the DHD4 bank accounts.

Bryan was allowed to return to her vehicle to turn over additional materials while the meeting continued. A police officer was present at the meeting and returned Bryan’s materials to Peltier without Bryan having to re-enter the building.

Peltier also dismissed Devin Askwig, community health director and epidemiologist, from the meeting, as she is an employee of DHD2.

After the two left, Peltier addressed the health board.

“I want to thank the board for their support,” Peltier said. “This is something that’s been long overdue. And in order to make a complete recovery, this is something that had to happen.”

Peltier also told the board that the termination of the contract was a situation that “has been a few weeks in preparation.”

Peltier told the board that DHD4 will need to hire a new health officer that does not serve both DHD4 and DHD2.

“I think one thing that this board needs to stay away from is a shared health officer … that’s been a complete failure,” Peltier added.

Peltier stated that the board needs to fill the vacancy with a person who can be present at the DHD4 offices consistently.

“Our employees and our section managers need somebody who’s here five days a week,” Peltier said.

The board was in agreement that they would need an interim director and Peltier volunteered himself, offering his time with no compensation. He said he would take mileage compensation if offered to him.

Peltier stated that he wants the board to “hand pick the people” and not hire “the first person that comes through the door” when filling the vacancy.

“I want to make sure that this organization gets the best health officer we can bring on board,” Peltier added.

After a vote to establish Peltier as interim health director, he told the board that his work will begin “right after this meeting.”

Lucille Bray, Alpena County commissioner and DHD4 health board member, told The News that the board discovered that Bryan was not meeting her contractual obligations, per DHD4’s contract with DHD2.

Bray stated that the termination of the contract should not reflect poorly upon DHD2 and the services they provide. She added that by not paying a health officer, and with Peltier serving as interim without compensation, the department will save a substantial amount of money.

“He seems very invested,” Bray said, regarding Peltier.

The News reached out to Bryan for comment but she did not provide one before the deadline.

Michelle Konwinski updated the board that a total of $1.2 million has been pulled back from the state.

At the June DHD4 meeting, Bryan had originally disclosed to the board that $700,000 had been pulled back. By the July DHD4 meeting, Bryan told the board the amount pulled back was close to $1 million.

Konwinski also told the board that her plan is to have their auditor, Maner Costerisan, give a presentation for the audit at next month’s meeting.

The health board also voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 budget of $4.3 million.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.