County Attorney filed an appeal for higher wages

On January 26, the Red Lake County Board of Commissioners met. All commissioners were present. Angie Lundeen, from HR, asked to be added to the agenda, which was approved. 

Matt Anderson from Red Lake County SWCD was at the meeting instead of Tanya Hanson, to get the 2015 County Feedlot report signed showing approval. 

Kristi Nelson from Social Services needed a motion to accept a Community Support Services Program (CSP) grant which was awarded in the amount of $64,397. It was approved by a vote. Nelson also needed a resolution to enter into an agreement for access to Minnesota Court Data Services for governmental agencies for Social Services. The resolution was approved by a vote.

The minutes from the last meeting were approved by a motion from John Lerohl and seconded by Chuck Flage.

County Treasurer, Nick Knott came before the board with an update on the investments the county has and also needed the new chairman to sign the signature card.

Expenditures were with a roll call vote and all in favor of paying the bills.

Commitee Reports were given beginning with Ron Weiss who reported on the Quinn Board. Items discussed were a SHIP update, election of officers, employee handbook, wage increases and setting of the budget.

Commissioner Chuck Flage reported that SWCD has received another grant and the same officers are in place. Also that the SWCD legal bank & paper are Unity Bank and the Oklee Herald. The offices are also expanding in size, as Representative Peterson will no longer have an office in the Wheat Growers building in RLF's. 

Commissioner Dave Sorensen reported on the Tri County Corrections Center (TCCC) meeting he attended. Paid per diem for housing inmates from other counties is down, and there were 11 new admits from Red Lake County for the month of December. There is also a new food provider for TCCC.

Commissioner Lerohl reported on the NWRDC meeting he attended. Cost allocation plan was approved along with other reorganization items needed at the beginning of the year. 

Lerohl also had meetings with the Housing Rehabilition Authority and reported that the Foxtail apartments will be sold to the College in TRF instead of the firm from Alexandria. The HRA is looking for an apartment project for the rehab funds.

ICCC also held a meeting that Lerohl attended and Catherine Johnson, the director, is now the head of a state program. Their audit is complete and it was good.

Commissioner Chuck Simpson had a meeting with the Red Lake County Economic Development Association and there were 18 loans with more monies available for other loans, a resignation of a board member, and an appointment of Shirley Brasier to replace another member. One more new member is needed for the board from Flage's area.

One more board member is needed for Inter County Nursing and Sorensen will have a name at the next meeting.

Attorney Michael T. Rengel, representing the commissioners, was present with comparative information and a resolution to consider regarding the County Attorney's 2016 wages.

At the December 22nd meeting, the commissioners approved the elected officials salaries, budget, levy and COLA increases for other employees.  At the end of the December 22nd meeting, County Attorney Mike Lacoursiere, asked if the board was acting on his request for an increase on his wages and Sorensen said the board would act on it in early 2016 and make the increase retroactive, as they did not have a full board on the December 22nd meeting and wanted to wait until all members were present.

Lacoursiere filed a notice of appeal on January 5th which was served on the commissioners via the Clerks office by the Red Lake County Sheriff's Dept. 

The Commissioners asked Attorney Rengel for legal advice and he presented information on the counties wages for attorney's based on size and proximity, years of experience, etc. After discussion by the commissioners, Ron Wiess made a motion to increase Lacoursiere's wages to $80,500  from $76,710 that was set for 2016, and would also keep his budget the same with this increase. The motion was seconded by Lerohl, roll call vote taken, 3 in favor, one nay from Sorensen. The decision to accept or not accept the offer is in the County Attorney hands.