July 2, 2008 Special Commission meeting

A special meeting of the Ward County Commissioners was called to order by Chairman Erickson at 8:00 a.m. with Comm. Fjeldahl, Gruenberg, Watne and Lee present. Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad and Personnel Director Colleen Houmann.  

 

The purpose of the meeting was to review department salary study information as prepared by the individual departments.

 

Appearing were: Chief Deputy Dave Bosh from the Sheriff's Office; Jail Commander Penny Erickson and Juvenile Detention Administrator Allison Hughes and Sheriff Vern Erck.

 

At 8:52 a.m. Comm. Gruenberg left the meeting.

 

At 8:53 a.m. Comm. Gruenberg returned to the meeting.

 

At 9:11 a.m. Comm. Fjeldahl left the meeting.

 

Assistant State's Attorney Roza Larson then appeared from the State's Attorney office.

 

At 9:13 a.m. Comm. Fjeldahl returned to the meeting.

 

At 9:33 a.m. the Board recessed.

 

At 9:42 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Superintendent of Schools Jodi Johnson then appeared and Social Services Director Dan Richter. Also appearing for comment was Houmann.

 

At 10:29 a.m. Comm. Lee left the meeting.

 

At 10:32 a.m. Comm. Lee returned to the meeting.

 

Then appearing were Building Superintendent Ron Overly; Veteran’s Service Officer Dale Braun and Emergency Manager Al Reynolds.

 

At 11:26 a.m. the Board recessed.

 

At 11:35 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Don Siebert then appeared.

 

At 11:48 a.m. the Board recessed.

 

At 1:00 p.m. the Board reconvened with Comms. Gruenberg, Watne, Erickson and Lee were present.

Recorder Sheila Dalen appeared.

 

At 1:01 p.m. Comm. Lee left the meeting.

 

At 1:03 p.m. Comm. Lee returned to the meeting.

 

At 1:04 p.m. Comm. Fjeldahl joined the meeting.

 

Brief discussion was held on having one person/department conduct the salary study for all employees rather than each department conducting their own using different criteria.

 

Mike Rose, NDSU Extension; Dana Larsen, Highway Engineer; Devra Smestad from Auditor/Treasurer’s Office; and Weed Control Officer Derrill Fick appeared.

 

The Board briefly discussed the Library positions.

 

After hearing from all the departments it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to direct the Department Heads to increase the salaries of employees other than the highway department, but including the Highway Engineer and Administrative Technician, as follows: 

If they earn less than $25,000     6%

            $25,000 to $50,000         4%

            Over $50,000                    2%,

and all employees being eligible for up to a two percent performance increase. Roll call: Comms. Lee, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted yes; Comms. Watne and Erickson voted no; motion carried.

 

Chairman Erickson inquired if a motion for a salary study had been passed and was informed that was done at the July 1 meeting. Smestad questioned what specifications the Board wanted for preparing a call for bids of a salary survey. Board consensus was that the Personnel Committee could work on the specifications.

 

At 2:49 p.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to adjourn. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 15th DAY OF JULY, 2008

 

s/ Carroll W Erickson, Chairman

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer

Ward County