Nevada County appointed a new temporary Public Health Officer while officials mull a permanent replacement and the structure of the department. Dr. Kenneth Cutler was named as the temporary public health officer, signing a contract that stipulates Cutler will dedicate at least 20 hours a week to the county for an amount not to exceed $126,000, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The public health officer plays a critical role in public safety, said Jeffrey Brown, director of the Health and Human Services Agency who oversees the county Public Health Department. “The public health officer is responsible for communicable disease control, emergency …