Palo Verde Healthcare District asks county to fill vacant board seats

BLYTHE, Calif. (KESQ)— The Palo Verde Healthcare District has asked Riverside County officials to step in and appoint two members to its hospital board after vacancies left the district without enough members to conduct official business..

In a letter dated Tuesday, Feb. 3, district officials said the board currently lacks a quorum and missed a required 60-day deadline to fill one of the open seats. As a result, the authority to make the appointment now rests with Riverside County.

The board attempted to fill the vacancies during a special meeting Friday, Jan. 30, but did not have enough members present to take action. A rescheduled special meeting set for Wednesday, Feb. 4, has since been canceled due to anticipated insufficient attendance.

One of the vacancies opened after longtime board member Rosie Rowell stepped down Nov. 30. A second seat became vacant following the resignation of Dr. David Brooks on Jan. 7. District officials said they attempted to confirm Brooks’ resignation but were unable to reach him before it was formally acknowledged later in the month.

In the letter addressed to Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, board President Carmela Garnica requested that the county oversee and complete the appointment process in order to restore the district’s five-member board.

District officials said maintaining a quorum is required under the district’s loan agreement, making the appointments necessary to ensure the board can meet and take official action.

It was not immediately clear when Riverside County supervisors may consider the request or how soon appointments could be made.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow the latest developments.