| Local
News |
||
| Wednesday,
March 12, 2008 Todd County Board of Commissioners Commissioners approve hires for MIS/jail by Karin L. Nauber Two new hires were approved at the March 4 commissioners meeting. The first new hire was for the MIS department which had been discussed at the work session the previous week. MIS Director Chris Pelzer brought documents to show the justification for the new hire in her office. She went over several of the functions and projects being worked on by her office. She explained why the additional staff person would help them get back on track with projects that have needed to be done and haven't been due to there not being enough time. Pelzer pointed out that the projects list was in addition to the departments day to day tasks. On average, she said her department receives 50 phone calls a day in addition to e-mails, visits to her office and people who see her in the field and ask for assistance. She said they also receive approximately 100 work orders per month. Pelzer currently has 389 hours of comp time and as previously reported, has lost 20 hours of vacation time because it is very difficult to allow time off in her office. She averages 50 hours a week. Commissioner Mark Nelson told Pelzer that he commended her for her work. "Don't burn yourself out," he cautioned. Steve Beck also complimented Pelzer on a job well done. Commissioner David Kircher suggested staggering her staff's hours. Pelzer said they already do and have office hours from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. She said they may have to look at extending those hours to 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kircher said because there was a hiring freeze resolution in place that states if justification for the hire can be shown, a new hire can be made. He felt that Pelzer had shown justification and the approval was given to recruit a full-time network specialist. The second new hire was for an assistant jail administrator/jail programmer. The Minnesota Department of Corrections has rules which govern adult detention facilities. One of the requirements is a full-time program staff person for facilities with an approved capacity between 30 and 60 inmates. The DOC has advised the Todd County facility on numerous occasions of the need for a full-time programs staff and highly recommended that an assistant jail administrator/jail programmer be appointed for the jail. As part of the justification for the position, letters from the DOC were included as well as a letter from 2003 from Jail Administrator Mark Anderson about the need. The jail is currently averaging 45 inmates a day. Kircher felt that the request should have been brought to a work session so it could have been discussed. The request to hire was approved. Auditor/Treasurer Approved setting the date of March 28 at 10 a.m. for the public sale of tax forfeited property. Approved renewing two liquor licenses, one for the Hub Supper Club Inc. and one for Greystone Golf Club, Inc. Approved a gambling permit for Pheasants Forever at the Hub Supper Club. Approved an application to sell 3.2 malt liquor to the Staples Softball Association at Dower Lake. Also approved a license for the Golden Eagle Supper Club. Approved switching the current inmate canteen checking account and rolling over the balance into a new turn key checking account. Environment and Land Resource Management Office A resolution for a final plat extension was approved for the Emerald Heights Plat. Public Works Set the date for the spring road meeting on April 28 at 10 a.m. Approved the layout for alternatives 3A and 3B of the north/south corridor with railroad overpass project in the city of Staples. On February 26, the Staples City Council approved a similar resolution. Sheriff's Department Approved the contract with Dr. Susan Rutten-Wasson to continue service as the detention center medical director/health provider. The cost is $15,600 which is $600 more than last year. Human Resources After three calls for a motion to approve the resolution for the Teamsters Local #320 Courthouse Unit Memorandum of Agreement seniority language update, the motion failed. Teamsters Representative Joan Derby said that she would like the county to provide a seniority roster as requested and that mediation may become a possibility. Ditch Inspector Approved a resolution allowing the Ditch Inspector Emma Larson to send out letters and inform landowners of drainage management policies as they arise. This particular resolution was in regard to fencing areas near drainage ditches so that cattle do not go into the ditch. Approved the removal of debris and beaver dams as requested by Howard Tyrrell on Ditch 19. Upcoming Budgeting The board set some dates for upcoming budgeting talks. The first will be held on March 12 at 9 a.m. |