10-07-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--October 7, 2002 2520 Mr. Wagner said the rationale when this topic was discussed last year was the 8-hour shifts would potentially save on three new employees. He asked if the Sheriff could make a commitment to the board that he has studied the issue of shifts and that he will not ask for more staff due to not following the recommendation for 8-hour shifts. Sheriff Rudnick said it was the general consensus of employees to stay with the 12-hour shifts, and he will not come back to the Board for additional staff unless something changes drastically in the jail duties. Mr. Meyer inquired about other counties housing inmates in the Cass County Jail if there is room when the new pod is opened. The Sheriff said the State of North Dakota may be interested in some beds, depending upon a iegislative change to increase the per day amount they pay to house inmates in other facilities. Cass County charges other entities $55.00 per day to house inmates, and State law allows payment of $35.00 per day. Bonnie Johnson, who served as Jail Project Coordinator, said the new jail was built with an opening capacity for 252 beds, and the plans include using the main housing unit when the inmate population dictates it. Mr. Wieland said the request for additional staff now, in order to open another pod, appears to be about two months ahead of when the county planned to have it opened. The 2003 budget includes the five staff requested by the sheriff today. MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Meyer seconded to authorize the Cass County Sheriff to hire five additional staff members to work in the jail in order to allow for the entire facility to be utilized, subject to following the county's hiring policy. Discussion: Bonnie Johnson said it would be a deviation from the nonmal hiring procedure to not advertise the new positions to the public. Sheriff Rudnick had said he would like to hire three of the new employees from the pool of applicants they interviewed six months ago because the State is conductin9 training for new correctional officers next week. He thought it would delay the hiring too long by completing the paperwork and advertising in the usual manner. Ms. Johnson said the paperwork can be signed today, and she will instruct the personnel office to e-mail the advertisement to The Forum for publication this Wednesday. She said the Sheriff could be screening applicants by the weekend. At the call for the question and upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 17. VOUCHERS, Approved MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to approve Voucher No. 168,508 through No. 168,956. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 18. NDACO CONVENTION; SALE OF TAX.FORFEITED PROPERTY; SOCIAL SERVICE EMPLOYEE AWARD, Committee reports Mrs. Schneider congratulated Bonnie Johnson on receiving the County Appointed Official of the Year Award at the North Dakota Association of Counties Convention in Bismarck last week. Mr. Wieland echoed the congratulations to Ms. Johnson and also congratulated Mike Montplaisir on being elected as First Vice President of the NDACo.