SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Regional Health District Administrative Officer Amelia Clark asked Dr. Lutz to resign over "performance issues," according to a new statement issued by SRHD Saturday evening.
The statement does not list what the performance issues were.
The health district acknowledged "that this is difficult timing for such a transition," but Clark "would not have sought the employment separation of Dr. Lutz during the COVID 19 pandemic if other viable options were available," the statement reads.
No votes were taken and no decisions were made during an executive session that the Health Board held on Oct. 29, according to the statement.
Previously, the health district claimed that the board approved of Clark's decision, but later apologized for implying that a vote had been taken to support Clark in asking Dr. Lutz to resign. If the Health Board votes to approve Clark's request, Lutz will be terminated as Health Officer.
Clark met with Dr. Lutz after the meeting along with SRHD Board Chair Ben Wick, during which Clark asked for Lutz's resignation, the statement reads. Dr. Lutz was given until 4 p.m. on Oct. 30 to submit his resignation, which he did not do, the statement reads.
Dr. Lutz issued a statement Saturday saying he hired a lawyer and doesn't plan to resign. Lutz plans to pursue "all legal remedies should the SRHD's Board decide to terminate my employment," his statement reads.
The Board of Health plans to schedule a special board meeting to vote on approving Clark's request to fire Dr. Lutz, the statement reads. Clark and Lutz will have the chance to address the board before the vote.
There will be at least a 24-hour public notice before the meeting takes place, and the notice will include instructions on how to provide written comments to the board before the meeting.
If the board does approve Clark's request, the Board will then vote on approving Dr. Mary Bergum as interim Health Officer.