Cass County Board: County addresses staffing needs in several departments

BACKUS — Increased activity in 2020 has led to a number of staffing needs in Cass County.

County Administrator Josh Stevenson requested board approval to advertise and fill positions in various departments at the Thursday, Dec. 3, Cass County board meeting.

Related: Cass County Board: Cass County, Leech Lake officials meet in annual joint session The county board and tribal council received updates on several joint programs underway or being considered between the two entities.

Stevenson, in an update of the personnel committee meeting, said the survey crew chief has recently given notice of his retirement. It was reported the county currently has a contract with Terry Freeman as the county surveyor, and the survey crew chief is a critical position to help Freeman. The surveyor and crew chief job descriptions were recently updated along with the salary. Stevenson stated that if the county were to contract both of these positions it would cost about $280,000. If the county were to hire for both positions it would cost about $200,000. Currently the land department is spending approximately $110,000 each year to have county staff and private vendors complete survey work, therefore both positions could be filled using that money from the existing 2020 budget.

Another position requested the county board was requested to fill was an additional resource specialist in the Environmental Services Department. With building permits and planning commission agenda activity being at an all-time high during 2020, current resource specialists do not have enough time to respond to questions, violations or help with the planning commission agenda, officials reported. The department feels with COVID-19, the level of activity is going to remain high during 2021. Stevenson stated that the department has a responsibility to recommend adding and reducing staff consistent with demand from the public. In 2007 additional staff was hired due to an increase of building activity and when the recession hit in 2008 staff was reduced to accommodate for the reduction of workload, he noted.

Related: Cass County Board: Recorder’s office to offer passport services starting Dec. 1 Passport services in Walker will be by appointment only.

The final position requested was a part-time administrative assistant. Stevenson said with the current activity level due to COVID-19 both Sandra Norikane, chief financial officer, and himself need assistance in their departments. During the discussion for this position it was noted that this would be an added expense to the budget as funds were not allocated for this additional position, but right now a 20 hour position is what is being requested. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk asked if there would be benefits with this position and, if not, if it would make the application pool too small. Gaalswyk then suggested that maybe they consider making the position at least a 0.6 full-time equivalent position so it would include benefits.

All three position requests were approved by the board.

Norikane shared an update on the CARES Act grant activity, stating that after the special check run was performed, a total of $3,510,586 was spent. It was noted that approximately $60,000 was given to the county from the area townships that received money for their own program that couldn’t be spent. Therefore, the county returned approximately $242,000 to the state out of what the county and townships within Cass County received. Overall, Norikane felt the program went very well and a lot of projects in the courthouse were completed by all departments along with approximately 55% of the money being used to help the area businesses.

Related: Cass County Board: Limits to public access of county buildings to continue to Jan. 5 Exceptions for public access will be considered at a later county board meeting.

The truth in taxation meeting was held at 6 p.m. with only one member of the public showing up for the meeting, but their questions were answered by staff of the assessor’s office before the meeting. During the meeting Norikane provided a summary of the 2021 budget process and provided proposed 2021 fee schedule changes. The 2021 Cass County levy and budget will be discussed and adopted at the next regular board meeting.

The truth in taxation meeting was held at 6 p.m. with only one member of the public showing up for the meeting, but their questions were answered by staff of the assessor’s office before the meeting. During the meeting Norikane provided a summary of the 2021 budget process and provided proposed 2021 fee schedule changes. The 2021 Cass County levy and budget will be discussed and adopted at the next regular board meeting.

In other business, the county board:

Heard the name change status for Paquet Lake to Poquet Lake near Hackensack is complete and approved.

Received and filed the results from the Nov. 3, 2020 general election.

Adopted a resolution establishing polling places annually with the unorganized precincts remaining as mail ballot precincts.

Approved the Cooperative Forest Road Agreement with the Chippewa National Forest.

Adopted resolutions to proceed with final payment on contracts for County State Aid Highway 77 reconstruction; County Roads 128 and 157 grading and aggregate surfacing; County State Aid Highway 17 reclaim and curve realignment; and CSAH 2, 15 and 29 improved shouldering.

The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. All meetings will be at the Land Department meeting room in Backus unless otherwise noted.