Winds of change are in

By Karen Edelbach
With Assessor Cheryl Grover's retirement this week, there are a number of other changes coming to the County as well. Jamie Freeman, who is currently the Deputy Assessor, will be taking Cheryl's place as Assessor for Clearwater County in May.
Eric Beier began on April 1 as Senior Assessor Clerk, assisting customers, processing homestead applications and other duties. Rod Knutson has moved to the Recorder's Office as an abstractor, after eight years in the Assessor's office.
As Deputy Assessor, the Clearwater County Commissioners approved the hiring of Courtney Burford who lives in Clearwate County at the April 21 meeting. She is certified as an Accredited Minnesota Assessor, will be starting in June.
Another change is the appointment of Deputy Neal Dolan as the Emergency Management (EM) Director effective May 1. Ten per cent of his salary will be provided by the EM budget.
Commissioner John Nelson said the Clearbrook-Gonvick emergency safe building project has been dropped. The Superintendent Wayne Olson said they lack the funds needed to match their share of the EM grant.
Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) management consultant, Bob Goede, was on the meeting agenda. He said they are in their 36th year. Previously a tool to pay workers compensation, MCIT now also facilitates benefits for the needs of many county related organizations. They also offer defensive driving classes, and a number of seminars for training to the county.
County Veterans Service Officer Harry Hutchens brought his quarterly report for the period of January 1-April 1, 2015. He said that Clearwater County and Clearbrook Veterans Memorials continue to generate office contact for assistance with locating veteran service dates and information for monument pavers. He says the department is required to use Ancestry.com and other genealogy programs at the library. Once “out the door”, there is no veterans' list. Information is available in National Archives after 62 years.
Officer Hutchens says that people who receive their services really appreciate the help.
Attorney Richard Mollin brought the Bjorklund Compensation recommendation for the position of Legal Assistant for reclassification. The new wage for the position will be grade 13, level 8, or $17.74 per hour, with approval from the Board. Commissioner Neal Illies made the motion, which was seconded by Commission Dean Newland.
Kathy Rasch from Soil and Water Conservation District came with final details about AIS and how the money for AIS prevention at Itasca State Park will be implemented, which was approved by the Board. The first submission for their inspections will be $4,000. Commissioner Newland wanted to know why it is done as a 'gift'. Kathy said this is because it is the easiest way to do it.
The AIS Prevention Awareness program which is being considered raised some questions. Commissioner John Nelson wanted to know what can be done for our county and where will the program be implemented. Also whether radio, TV and movie theatre ads would be run for free, and how often. The total cost of the awareness program is $15,000 and would be shared by five counties.
Kathy said some ads would be free, and she will contact the venues to ask which ones are free and how often they would run the ads. She said the county can decide where they want the information to go.
The Commissioners said that signage at lakes should be documented, and Commissioner Dan Stenseng thinks it should be something eye-catching.
County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson reviewed the department saying things were good, and taxes were coming in. He received authorization to pay submitted invoices of $55,451 from County Revenue Fund and $13,364 from Nursing Service.
Resolution for the Clearwater Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club grant-in-aid program application for 2015-16 was passed by the Board. Clearwater County will be the sponsoring unit of government for the application.
All commissioners were present at the meeting: Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.