Posted: 5/22/07
County board tables request to expand accounting clerk hours
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Houston County Board deliberated over a request made by County Highway Engineer Marcus Evans to increase a half time to full time accounting clerk position for the highway department, but took no action. With only three commissioners attending the May 15 meeting, it was felt the full board should make the decision.
Evans explained Lynn Reburn, who was a half time accounting clerk, had turned in her resignation. With all the additional work the State Auditorís Office now requires counties to perform, Evans felt it would be much more advantageous to replace Reburn with a full time accounting clerk.
In a memo to the board, Evans added tax reporting requirements have grown, the clerk now needs to know the new, expanded Mn/DOT State Aid accounting system, in addition to the one used by the courthouse.
"Since thhe position provides back-up functions for the accountant, this back-up is only available two to three days per week, instead of all five days the accountant works," Evans said. "If the accountant is away from the office, it is important someone is available at all times to answer phones and handle accounting functions on a day-to-day basis."
Evans continued the position is needed for additional clerical responsibilities to support both the county and engineering work areas. He listed a number of areas the state used to provide services for, that are no longer available, and his office must now handle.
County Personnel Director Tim Comstock pointed out most counties similar in size to Houston County have an accounting staff of two or more full time persons. He requested permission to advertise for a full time position.
The three commissioners attending the meeting: Ann Thompson, Larry Graf, and Larry Connery, felt it best to have the full board make the decision on this request, and table it until the May 21 meeting.
Paving projects approved
The county board approved two paving projects the County Highway Department plans to conduct this work season. One is for the section of CSAH 4 south of Spring Grove, and the other is the section of CSAH 17 from State Highway 44 to State Highway 76 in Wilmington Township.
Printer purchases approved
The board approved the purchase of two laser jet printers for the Public Health Department at $1,589.86 each.
According to PHD Director Deb Rock, her department needs three printers to keep up with all of the paperwork required by county, state, and federal programs. Two of the three printers, which were hand-me-downs from other departments, have become obsolete, and are basically non-functioning.
"We need two printers ASAP," she told the board. "At the present time, we only have one that works."
The board unanimously approved a motion to grant Rock permission to purchase two printers.
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