Posted: 5/3/05
New contract for deputies approved
The Houston County Board approved a new three-year contract with the Law Enforcement Labor Services Deputy Unit at its April 25 meeting.
The contract gives deputies a three percent raise in 2005 and 2006. In 2007 there is a two percent raise for the first nine months, followed by a three percent raise the final three months.
This is the same as the contract that commissioners approved for the jailers-dispatchers, personnel director Tim Comstock told the board.
ìItís very consistent with what weíve done with other unions,î he said. ìNothing really out of the ordinary.î
Deputies do not have the right to strike, Comstock said, but they can go to binding arbitration after mediation is held. That was done two contracts ago.
The contract also raises the amount of time that employees can bank to 120 hours. It had been at 80.
The countyís contribution to health and dental insurance coverage went up $10 per month per year. Incentive pay also went up $10 per month for employees with five or more years of continuous service.
Other personnel items approved
In other personnel action, the board:
ï granted a 30 day leave of absence for custodian David Erickson.
ï added Clayton Hosch as a veterans service driver and Wanda Bauer as a sheriffís office transport driver/matron;
ï approved a status change for deputy Jon Kulas from probationary to regular;
ï approved a $2,500 payment to the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust for the deductible in providing coverage for Linda Coffieldís lawsuit against the county.
ï approved an amendment to the compensation plan for elected officials, non-union and appointed employees. This consolidated all of the various terms and conditions of payment that had been approved in the past. ìThe goal is to create one easily accessible resource, similar to the Union Contracts, outlining the terms and condition of compensation,î Comstock told The Argus on April 28.
Caledonia Argus
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