Indigent Health Care in Shelby County has been moved out of the county judges' office and there's a new full-time coordinator to oversee it.

By a 3-2 vote, the Shelby County Commissioners' Court approved both items during Monday's meeting.

Commissioners Roscoe McSwain and Jimmy Lout were opposed to approving the move and hire.

Commissioner McSwain told Center Broadcasting this morning he felt there was no reason to spend the money on another position, and said the new hire could have waited until County Judge-elect Allison Harbison took office Jan. 1.

He added he felt the position could still be incorporated into the duties of the judge’s administrative assistant.

County Judge Rick Campbell said it's grown into a full-time job, and the money's in the Budget to fund the salary.

The IHC office will be located on the first floor of the courthouse, and hired by Judge Campbell to be the new coordinator is Terry Ford, who's been county treasurer assistant. Continuing on a part-time basis in the department will be Ethel Holder.

Judge Campbell said every Texas County is required to offer indigent health, and with all the healthcare changes, it was taking about 85 percent of former IHC coordinator and County Judge's Administrative Assistant Deanne Sample's time.

Ms. Sample's last day on the job was yesterday. She left to take employment at the Fairchild Law Firm.