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Nystrom says county is in hiring 'chill' CROW WING COUNTY BOARD Senior Reporter Crow Wing County is in a hiring chill.
Board Chairwoman Rachel Reabe Nystrom termed it a chill instead of a hiring freeze. The county is referring requests for replacement hires - to fill positions as county staff members leave - to its personnel committee for additional scrutiny before the requests come to the board.
Treasurer Laureen Borden said she needed a chief deputy in her department, and this additional step would cause a delay, leaving her office short staffed. Human Resources Director Tami Laska said the auditor's office has offered to help support the treasurer during the interim period.
In other business, the board:
Heard that the South Country Health Alliance may be in deeper trouble than initially thought.
On Tuesday, Crow Wing County commissioners learned that, in April, South Country needed a capital infusion of $11 million from its members. Tuesday, Commissioner Dewey Tautges said the forecast is bleak as South Country is losing $2 million a month, double what was anticipated. Tautges said more will be known after South Country meets with state officials.
South Country Health Alliance is a health care purchasing system operated by a group of counties to provide localized health care for certain residents in Medical Assistance, General Assistance Medical Care and MinnesotaCare. South Country serves 14 counties, including Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, Todd and Wadena.
Heard there were two resignations from the Thirty Lakes Watershed District and concerns regarding how meetings are run with more limited input from advisory members. The county expects to discuss this further, along with its water plan at the June 24 meeting.
Approved the issuance and sale of a revenue note for the Brainerd Lakes Integrated Health System project after a public hearing. The refinancing is for debt used to purchase the Brainerd Medical Center and related facilities. The county acts as a conduit only as the health system is liable for the debt.
Approved an ordinance amendment regulating liquor licenses. No patrons of on-sale liquor licensed establishments may remain on the premises after 1:30 a.m. unless actively engaged in a cleanup. No one, including staff, is allowed to consume alcohol on the premises after 1:20 a.m. County Attorney Don Ryan said the regulation came after previous concerns from residents about noise nuisance from late-night outdoor bands.
Accepted a federal grant of $39,091 to purchase a new boat, motor and trailer with electronics, graph locator, GPS, side scan and emergency equipment. The sheriff's department is trading in a 2001 boat, motor and trailer to offset costs.
Approved 15 county forest roads as a way to preserve the ability of the public and county to use forest roads for recreation and natural resource management. A map of the roads is on the county's Web site at www.co.crow-wing.mn.us. A property owner may appeal the county's forest road map to the county board within 60 days. The appeal process involves filing a written request for review. The county board is required to make a decision within 45 days of getting the review request. Following the board's decision, property owners may appeal to district court.
Approved an early childhood screening contract agreement with Pequot Lakes School District focusing on items that may affect development or influence learning ability. Children age 3 through school-entry age will be eligible for screenings on development, vision, hearing, immunization review and referral and follow-up.
Accepted $500 from the St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation for dental varnishing to ensure children from low-income families or those without adequate insurance get early dental care and gain from the cavity prevention.
Learned 23 RSVP volunteers completed 1,459 tax returns this year, of which 748 were for people who would not have received a stimulus check without filing a tax return. The program is designed to help people 60 years or older. The average annual adjusted gross income was $14,634, the county reported.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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