Posted: 8/23/05
County hears pitch for new positions
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Requests for hiring a deputy and a computer network specialist came before county commissioners on August 18.
Personnel director Tim Comstock made a pitch for hiring the computer network specialist at the August 16 board meeting.
Commissioners did not make a decision on the idea, but they seemed supportive. Ann Thompson said the position could perhaps be consolidated with the land office, which is now using a new computer-based Geographic Information System for mapping and zoning.
Comstock said the new position would give the other two information systems staff members, Lindsay Pierce and Carol Hauser, time to learn more applications and features of county computer programs. They havenít been able to take training because of having to keep up with their daily work, Comstock said.
Department heads support the idea, he added.
Another person would give support on a day-to-day level, Comstock feels. ìThere is a lot of work here.î
Deputy too
The request for a deputy came from chief deputy Ken Frank and Bonnie Goetzinger, financial assistance supervisor in the human services department. They spoke at the monthly human services board meeting, which takes place the third Tuesday of every month following the regular board meeting.
Goetzinger said the deputy could do about 10 hours of fraud prevention a week at an annual cost of about $15,000. About 25 percent of the money collected in fraud investigations would go back to the county, she said.
Linda Klabo of Spring Grove investigates fraud now for Houston and four other counties. But someone from the sheriffís office would be better able to determine things like when someone is living with someone when they shouldnít be, Goetzinger said.
Human services director Beth Wilms said an investigator would catch fraud thatís occuring while people are receiving benefits. Word would spread about the investigator, which might prevent fraud, she added.
Frank said the position would complement a courtroom security officer position, which he estimated would take 30-32 hours a week. The need for someone in that capacity has been discussed at several board meetings in the past year.
Frank said it would be a stationary position rather than a field one. The deputy could be liaison between human services and the sheriffís department, he said.
ìI think thatís a very good idea,î Wilms responded.
The deputy could also do sex offender registration and follow up on the issuance of bad checks, Frank added.
The board did not make a decision. Commissioner Dave
Corcoran said the position should be spelled out in detail. He wondered who would cover courtroom security when the person got sick or had days off. ìI donít know how one person can do all this,î he said.
Wilms said she would clarify the position and get back to the board.
Restraining order summarized
Tim Comstock also gave commissioners a memo summarizing a revised Harassment Restraining Order against Rickey Edward George. It was revised by Judge James Fabian on August 9, and is in effect until July 30, 2006.
George, who is from Violet Hills, Arkansas, has five restrictions, including not coming within 300 feet of the courthouse unless he has a pre-planned appointment; and not initiating telephone contact with county employees or commissioners
The order also states that any county correspondence to George either written or oral must go through his attorney or through David Stingl, a worker at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals overturned a ruling by Judge Fabian terminating the Georgeís parental rights on November 2, 2004. The case is now being reviewed by the Houston County Attorneyís office.
George has been charged with harassment stalking, violating a harassment restraining order, obscene or harassing phone calls, disorderly conduct, making terroristic threats, driving without a valid Minnesota license, and fifth degree assault.
Other business
ï Salt bid, airport slurry: The board approved a salt bid with North American Salt Company. ìIím going to go through sheer hell this winter,î maintenance supervisor Tom Molling said of the company. He has had problems getting salt delivered in time from the company in the past.
The company will have a seven day notice to deliver salt, then will be penalized $100 for every day that it is not delivered. Molling said.
Commissioner Ann Thompson said if things donít work out with the company, the county will take that into account in the future.
Interim county engineer Kermit McRae reported that the cost of a slurry overlay at the airport will be $63,000, with $44,100 coming from the Minnesota Department of Transportationís aeronautics fund. New county engineer Tracey Alan Von Bargen will begin his duties on September 12.
ï Assisted living, grant: The board approved a contract with Spring Grove Assisted Living, a semi-independent living facility with 20 units in Spring Grove.
Public health educator Heather Myhre said the county hard received a $2,500 grant for short-term radon kits. She also reported that an 11-county partnership in southeastern Minnesota will receive a$236,700 for tobacco prevention and awareness. Houston Countyís share will be $13,140.
ï Wildcat Park: The board approved a request by Wildcat Park manager Jerry Hensley to keep the park open past its regular closing date of September 30. The park can stay open until October 6 at the latest, the board voted.
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