County gets A+ for Audit
Tue, 10/27/2020 - 3:03pm
admin
By:
Karen Edelbach
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on October 20, hearing the annual audit report, from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other business.
Annual Audit: "Clearwater County has a model of the highest ethical standards, which trickles down to other departments," said Colleen Hoffman from the auditing firm Hoffman, Philip & Knutson, who do the annual audit for the county.
"The Auditor's Department earns an A+!"
"I have good help," responded Auditor-Treasurer Al Paulson, expressing his appreciation for the comments and his team.
Commissioner Dean Newland wanted to know if all counties get such high marks, to which the answer was an emphatic "No."
It was noted that Clearwater County has a net worth of $62 million, which includes highways and gas tax revenue, a $3 million increase over last year.
Ms. Hoffman said the Law Enforcement and Public Safety areas are $300,000 under budget, which is unheard of. A lot of other departments were also under budget, which seems to be an underlying trend reflecting an "awesome job". She said some of it could be due to covid.
"You should amend the budget to reflect the covid funds of $1 million, then also reflect the expenditures of that money."
"You should spend down other money that is on hand which needs to be spent before you levy for more money," she said. "Some should be budgeted and assigned to be used. You are fortunate to have that money available."
Commissioner John Nelson asked questions about retirement funding policies. The response was that there are different rules dependent on age.
The issue of working from home was also addressed. "Working from home is changing the culture," she said.
Some firms are seeing it as better in many cases, and employees are very productive working from home, while not all are self-disciplined enough to do so effectively.
"When you have good employees, you need to recognize that - give them a pat on the back and say 'Good job,'" she said. "You want to keep the good people you have. It hurts when you lose good people."
Attorney Al Rogalla received approval for the purchase of two laptops for the Attorney's Office, which can be used in the courtroom, as well as for working at home. These will be paid for by the Victim's Grant, for a total of $3,215.
Commissioner Newland inquired about a commissioner being called for jury duty, and whether that is acceptable.
"In the past the attorney said not to accept, because it might reflect on the county," he said.
"It is mostly up to the judge and whether you can look at both sides fairly," said Attorney Rogalla. "If there is an issue (re. county business), then that should be brought up."
Labor Union Contract: County Board Chairman Neal Illies was authorized to sign the three year labor union contract between Clearwater County and Local 320 (Social Workers) for January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife: Easements were recently secured from Cole and Brittnay Kortan, and Jerome and Cecelia Dehmer. These were both habitat easements that protect the wetlands and uplands of the property.
The Kortan's easements are located in section 26 of Copley Township. Easements allow them to graze this property as they wish, and allows for haying after nesting season. The Dehmers' easement is located in sections 20 and 21 of Eddy Township and allows them to hay after nesting season.
Landowners will retain primary responsibility for weed control, recreational use, access, and will continue to be responsible for the payment of property taxes. Access is not open to the public.
CARES/Covid Relief Funds: The following expenditures were approved by the Board to be paid for from the Coronavirus Relief Fund:
The Health & Human Services Team, per Commissioner Mark Larson, for Expenditures for Nursing Service, including public health staff time, office equipment and supplies, and medical supplies were approved in the amount of $25,961.
County Employee Cost Committee, of which Commissioner Newland is a member, were approved in the amount of $60,113.
Expenditures of the Equipment, Supplies and IT Committee, of which Commissioner Illies is a member, were approved in the amount of $95,862.
Expenditures of the CARES Act Business Assistance Program Committee, of which Commissioner Nelson is a member, were approved in the amount of $188,511.
Expenditures of the CARES Act Public Health & Human Services Team, of which Commissioner Larson is a member, were approved in the amount of $4,530.
County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $112,793 for the County Revenue Fund and $9,769 for the Nursing Service Fund.
All Commissioners were present at the meeting: John Nelson, Neal Illies, Dean