KRS 212.870: District health department -- Staff -- Compensation.

(1) A district health officer may employ and fix the compensation of, by contract or

otherwise, subject to the approval of the cabinet all medical, administrative,

technical, clerical, professional, and other employees necessary for the maintenance

and operati on of the district health department in accordance with standards and

merit system provisions prescribed by the cabinet.

(2) In the absence of a district health officer the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and

Family Services or his duly appointed representative shall serve as health officer for

the district health department.

(3) All employees of county health departments which join a district health department

shall become employees of the district health department.