Posted: 8/8/06
Houston County may
combine human
services, public health
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Houston County commissioners are looking into combining the positions of human services and public health nursing directors.
Personnel director Tim Comstock suggested that to the board on August 1 as an alternative to replacing Linda Grupa, who resigned as public health director in June.
ìThere can be efficiencies gained,î Comstock said about combining department heads. For example, a lot of clients receive services from both departments.
ìIt can end up costing a lot more too,î commissioner Dave Corcoran responded.
Chairman Kevin Kelleher said that the home health care part would not be a problem. He felt that the financial aspects of the combined job such as contracts and accounting would be key considerations. ìItís worth looking at, I think,î Kelleher said.
Two public health employees, Dana Todd and Loretta Lillegraven, said the department could survive for a couple months while the county looks into the idea. Kelleher said he appreciated that, and called their work in Grupaís absence ìabsolutely stupendous.î
The board directed Comstock to get information from other counties that do home health care and have combined public health and human services departments.
The county had voted to hire a person for the public health directorís job in July, but she withdrew her name from consideration.
Other personnel business
In other personnel matters, the board approved Tim Comstock to sign highway department documents until Marcus Evans starts his new job as county engineer on September 5.
Public health nurse Mary Thompson was granted a 30 day leave. Acting director Dana Todd recommended the approval.
The board also approved increasing the uniform service for employees of Local 49íers Union to $15 per week. It had been at at $12.76.
Andrew Arnold was approved as needed as a dropsite supervisor.
Other business
ï Seal coat bids: The board accepted the bid from Fahmer Asphalt Sealers of $223,517 for seal coating of roads. This was $40,000 more than the engineerís estimate. Maintenance supervisor Tom Molling said that was due to higher oil costs.
ï House demolition: Kimball Paving and Excavating of Houston was chosen as the low bidder for the demolition of the house at 323 South Marshall. The bid was $8,849. Two maple trees in the front will be saved. The lot will be used as part of the site for a proposed criminal justice center.
ï Meeting cancelled: The board voted to cancel its September 12 meeting because that is the day of the primary election.
ï Meeting with law firm: Kelleher said he would be meeting with a law firm in Minneapolis on August 10 to look at contracts with construction manager company 3DI and architects Klein-McCarthy. Kelleher said that construction law is fairly complex so expertise is needed for reviewing those contracts. ìBecause a mistake made can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars,î he said. The law firm is Hammargren & Meyer, PA.
Kelleher said that the CREBs part of the contract will probably be put in as an option. CREBs stands for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds. The county applied for the bonds in April, but hasnít received word yet from the IRS if it has been approved. CREBs bonding would be for approximately $6 million; the interest saved would be in the $300,000 range per year. Interest expense on electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and technology parts of the project would be exemp, but the contract work would need to meet certain energy requirements.
Caledonia Argus
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