The Ford County Board has created a "study group" to start forming its own independent health department.

Board Chairman Rick Bowen said the volunteer group will help define the county's needs. It's hoped the transition will be smooth to be ready to go by July 1, 2014. The existing Ford-Iroquois Public Department will dissolve, effective June 30th.

The Board Thursday also voted to approve its resolution to withdraw from the dual Ford-Iroquois association in favor of its own Ford County health department.

Bowen said a four-member study group will work with health professionals and help select the new health department's 8-member board of directors.

Last week, the Iroquois County Board also approved its own resolution to withdraw from the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department.

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