Butte health official’s resignation ‘not related to any particular disagreements’
Officials in Butte County are beginning their search for a new public health officer after Dr. Andy Miller announced his resignation.
The Butte County Public Health Administration issued a news release Saturday announcing Miller will step down effective July 10 rather than waiting for his contract to come up for renewal this fall. Miller has served as the county’s public health officer since October 2016, playing a critical role in the county’s response to the Oroville Dam crisis, the Camp Fire and the coronavirus pandemic during his tenure.
“It’s been a true honor to work as Butte County’s Health Officer as we have faced extraordinary challenges together,” Miller said in the news release.
Miller said he plans to continue working in Butte County and will return to direct patient care.
Butte County Public Health Director Danette York said the department is already working with the county’s human resources team on a recruitment plan. The county’s news release noted that “finding a replacement before the fall will be important in the event that COVID-19 returns as predicted by health professionals.”
The release noted Miller’s decision to resign was “in no way related to any particular incident or disagreements.”
Miller helped shape the county’s public health response when the Oroville Dam crisis caused more than 180,000 evacuations in 2017 and again when the Camp Fire became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history in 2018.
In the aftermath of the fire, Miller declared the burn zone uninhabitable, warning residents who returned to their land they would be exposed to hazardous materials. Butte County and Paradise city officials passed emergency ordinances allowing people to live on their properties in trailers and RVs during the cleanup process. They reversed course after Federal Emergency Management Agency officials threatened to cut $1.7 billion in federal funding for debris cleanup.
More recently, officials in Butte County have contemplated the risks associated with the coronavirus. As of Friday, Butte County was reporting 22 COVID-19 cases and zero deaths, but health officials were investigating after more than 180 people were exposed to a person infected with COVID-19 during an unauthorized Mother’s Day religious service.
Butte County is one of more than 20 counties in California authorized to move more quickly through Stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan, but large gatherings are still prohibited under California’s stay-at-home order.
Retailers in Butte County were allowed to reopen last week. Butte County Supervisor Bill Connelly said it was a triumph for north state counties who challenged Gov. Gavin Newsom to recognize regional differences in reopening plans. Miller warned businesses and residents not to ignore guidelines, saying “this virus is an incredible risk to our residents” and the county might have to “reinstate restrictions if necessary.”
York said Miller will be missed when he steps down in July.
“His dedication to his position and to protecting the citizens of Butte County is unparalleled,” York said. “I understand and support his decision to make a change, but this is a significant loss for the department and the county as a whole.”
Shari McCracken, chief administrative officer for Butte County, praised Miller for his work during tumultuous times in Butte County.
“I am going to miss Dr. Miller and the partnership we built through so many disasters,” McCracken said. “Our communities have been well served by his years of dedicated service and his tireless response to COVID-19. Dr. Miller has balanced the competing interests of the public’s health and safety with the health of our local economy. … We are prepared to recruit for a health officer who, like Dr. Miller, will lead us as we bring our economy back and keep this virus at bay.”
