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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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Board implements new reporting practice

Crow Wing County Board

By RENEE RICHARDSON

Senior Reporter

Crow Wing County commissioners reviewed the state auditor's recommendations on per diems Tuesday.

County Administrator Tim Houle asked the board to authorize a new practice to pass a motion at the end of commissioner committee reports to accept the reports and authorize attendance at those meetings.

Commissioner Paul Thiede said it seemed a redundant move after the board previously decided the appearance of the reports in the minutes was approval. Board Chairman Phil Trusty agreed.

The state auditor's office recently reviewed the county's per diem payments after receiving complaints and suggested the county reconsider its per diem policy for the board. Commissioners are paid per diems of $50 in addition to annual salaries. Board members may collect the payment when performing duties of the office such as service on boards, committees or commissions as directed by the board or individual service as required by law.

In its recommendations, the state auditor's office recommended the county require at a minimum additional documentation for per diem payments claimed for meeting attendance outside the county's published committee list.

Trusty said one issue arises if the board members attend a meeting but are absent the next county board session and are unable to give a meeting report at that time.

County Attorney Don Ryan said the board can fight with the state or accept the committee reports in one resolution and it will cost a few drops of ink on a piece of paper.

The board should report on any meeting attended not on the list of committees board members are assigned to and it's good practice, in any event, to bring the information back to the board, Houle said. Board members may make a report or present an agenda or other documentation regarding their purpose for attending.

"This is not the first hoop the state auditor makes us jump through," Houle said. "We've made other changes based on recommendations they have."

The board approved the motion with Thiede opposed.

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@ brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.

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