Health officer steps aside

After about 20 years of serving as Butte County’s public health officer, Dr. Mark Lundberg (pictured) is transitioning to a new role with the county’s Department of Behavioral Health.

Under a contract approved by the county Board of Supervisors during its regular meeting on Tuesday (June 28), Lundberg’s salary will remain $215,790, and he’ll continue acting as health officer until the position is filled. His new role with Behavioral Health will involve overseeing the recovery of people addicted to narcotic painkillers, said Lisa Almageur, communications manager for Public Health.

“He finds that work very satisfying,” she said. “His passion is helping people get off opiate addiction, and an opportunity came up for him to pursue that.”

It’s uncertain exactly when the county will hire Lundberg’s replacement, Almageur said.