07-18-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--July 18, 2005 2928 The position is a part-time assignment in addition to Mr. Cogdill's administrative work with the County Extension Office. Mr. Cogdill served in this capacity in 2002 through 2003. Mr. Hauck said agriculture and 4-H duties on the county level would be handled by an agent in- training position. Mr. Hauck said August 1 st is the proposed starting date and the assignment would be on a continuing basis. The arrangement may be reviewed at any time. He said Mr. Cogdill will be based out of his county office. Any additional costs will be covered by NDSU Extension Service. MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Wagner seconded that Cass County support the re-assignment of duties for Brad Cogdill to serve as Chair of the Center for 4-H Youth Development of the NDSU Extension Service. The arrangement can be reviewed and changed at the request of one of the three parties involved. A full-time Extension Agent in-training position will be placed in the Cass County Extension Office to assist with educational program responsibilities as outlined in the request. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 9. JAIL, Proposed iail nursino staff chanoe: item tabled until next meetina Carlos Perez, Jail Lieutenant, was present. He introduced Heidi McLean, Ruth Bachmeier and Mary Kay Hermann from Fargo Cass Public Health. Mr. Perez referred to a letter sent to commissioners on July 8, 2005, from Glenn Ellingsberg, Chief Deputy. A determination was made that correctional officers need to be licensed by the North Dakota Board of Nursing in order to continue delivering medications within the jail. After review, Mr. Ellingsberg and Fargo Cass Public Health estimate the training would cost about $32,150. The Sheriff's Office does not believe licensing staff is cost-effective and after looking at other possibilities, believes an amendment to the contract with Fargo Cass Public Health is the best option. The manner in which medications are now being dispersed may be considered a liability issue for the county. Mr. Perez said the additional cost of about $12,000 would be absorbed by the jail budget this year; however, this item would need to be included in the 2006 budget. Ms. Bachmeier, Director of Nursing, said medication training is a lengthy class and with the high turnover of correctional officers, she does not believe it would be cost-effective to train all the jail staff. Ms. Bachmeier also discussed the type of clients at the jail and referred to an Attorney General's opinion from 2004. The opinion states that medication administration for individuals who are unstable or have changing nursing care needs may not be delegated. This means that only nursing staff are allowed to dispense medications under these circumstances. Mr. Wagner asked about staff increases. Ms. Hermann said one jail nurse was added two years ago. He asked about the schedule of nursing coverage at the jail. Ms. Bachmeier said three staff work Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; one staff works Monday through Friday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and one staff works Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to noon. Mr. Wagner believes medication training of jail staff was discussed last year during budget sessions. He would like more information about this discussion before he is able to make a decision.