With Margene Gunderson leaving Public Health, a new full-time director won’t be appointed right away — if at all.

The county board appointed Nursing Supervisor Lisa Kocer as interim director, so the board can discuss whether to merge Public Health with Human Services.

The board will complete an internal study into merging the offices, similar to the way it recently formed Public Works by combining the Highway Department and Environmental Services.

“It’s an opportunity, if they wish to study it, to delay any hiring,” County Coordinator Craig Oscarson said of the interim director.

Kocer will be interim director through Dec. 31, and she’ll receive a monthly $500 stipend.

Gunderson said the merger could work, but she urged board members to determine what they want from a potential move.

“If that’s decided, then the rest will sort of take care of itself,” Gunderson said.

Gunderson said the upcoming decisions won’t be easy for the board.

“Make the right decision, not the easy one,” Gunderson said.

The board intends to complete the internal study by the first board meeting in December.