Labor Attorney instructs County Board to set salaries for elected officials
Tue, 01/22/2019 - 9:40am
admin
By:
Karen Edelbach
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on January 15, 2019 to determine salaries for elected officials, and hear from several departments in the County.
Commissioner Neal Illies did research to help with decisions about salaries now to be determined by the Board.
“The Labor Attorney said this is the way it needs to be done now, for the Board to make motions for salaries of elected officials. It is the Board's decision,” he said.
The Commissioners reviewed the current salaries of the officials, and considered their experience, knowledge, evaluations, duties and responsibilities, then made recommendations which included a half percent increase. The decisions for salaries for 2019 were set by resolutions as follows, using pay grades, but no longer steps: Sheriff, $85,200; Attorney, $104,000; Auditor-Treasurer, $87,700; and Recorder, $69,200.
It was pointed out that the Clearwater County Auditor-Treasurer also performs the duties for Human Resources.
Sheriff Darin Halverson is authorized to hire Luke Michels as Sentence to Serve Crew Leader effective Jan. 16, 2019. He is from Black Duck, and previously worked for the DNR.
Commissioner Illies explained that Sentence to Serve work is strictly for non-profits such as Good Samaritan and the Senior Center, and cannot be used by businesses or private individuals.
County Veterans Service Officer Hutch Hutchens brought his quarterly report for the Board's review. He was asked what entails the “unique clients”. He explained that it includes more than one phone call or office visit with a client, and the total of all contacts this quarter involved 89 clients, based on the 365 calls, 30 office visits, home visits and other contacts with those clients.
Surveys from 15 clients where work is accomplished received a “Satisfactory” rating, and some Commissioners indicated a wish to see the surveys.
“Come to the office,” the CVSO replied. “That is an excellent idea. I will clear my schedule.”
Director of Nursing Marissa Hetlund will hire Shirley Solheim as Scheduling Tech in a casual position of less than 1040 hours per year, to help out with staff vacations. Her wage is set at Range 10, Step 8 due to her previous position with the Nursing Service for 31 years.
Sanford Health Rob Belanger, Administrator and Stephanie McKnight, Nursing Manager brought an update for the 2019 Capital Improvement Grant. The Commissioners approved going forward with the application to provide for a 25% match from the County in the amount of $37,518. If the grant is awarded, this would allow for Rehab Services to proceed in being moved to the Bagley Medical Center (hospital), except for the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab, which need a medical doctor on duty and would remain at the Clinic. There is also a plan to move the Bagley Eye Department to the main Clinic to occupy the current gym. The move would begin in April.
County Auditor Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $41,262 for the County Revenue Fund and $9,526 for the Nursing Service Fund.
A resolution to administer the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program in Clearwater County was passed by the Board of Commissioners. Funds for this program are appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature The Minnesota Legislature has assessed the program and indicates it is highly successful and cost effective. Funds provide assistance for one to two months for rent or mortgage payments for homeless families or families facing homelessness.
All Commissioners were present at the meeting: John Nelson, Neal Illies, Dean Newland, Mark Titera, and Mark Larson.