07-11-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--July 11, 1991 706 SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JULY 11, 1991 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Gene Shannon called the meeting to order with the following members present: Don Eckert, Sharon "Pepper" Toussaint, Alon Wieland and Gene Shannon. Commissioner Steve Risher arrived later in the meeting. GRIEVANCE REPORT, Findings reviewed by Scott Kildahl, Model Project Coordinator Mr. Kildahl distributed a grievance report to the Commissioners. He said his report was limited to staffing at the Jail. He visited with Sheriff Rudnick, Watt Willis and 17 members of the Jail staff. He outlined the grievance report by first reviewing the topic of "Staff Retention and Career Path Considerations for Jail Personnel." The problem is caused by two factors: (a) The sense jail personnel have that they are not receiving proper consideration for openings in other areas of law enforcement; and (b) The positions in corrections with Cass County are not sufficiently regarded by the County Commission or the Sheriff to be considered a worthwhile career due to staffing, remuneration and classification stature within the county. In regards to the first problem, Mr. Kildahl said the Sheriff will continue to give qualified candidates consideration, based on his right to make this judgment, for job openings in other areas of his department. Mr. Kildahl also discussed the aspect of "Training Opportunities for Jail Personnel." He said this request is not unreasonable and seems to be caused by staffing problems that preclude correctional personnel from receiving training that would allow them to become sworn officers and move to the corresponding pay grades. In order to insure correctional personnel receive necessary training as required by shift staffing, some additional staff will be required. He explained that with the expansion of correctional duties, jail population and liability considerations, it would seem that 3 to 5 new employees are now needed. Three new personnel would allow one new staff per shift, improving some of the functional staffing problems, allow training opportunities that would greatly improve morale and guarantee that unskilled personnel would not be pressed into service as an expedient to fill staffing needs. Five new personnel would accommodate the situation caused by absenteeism due to sick, vacations, holidays, etc. to give Lt. Willis optimum capability in avoiding potential liability within the facility. Mr. Kildahl concluded that with all the recommendations given, the Sheriff must try to use every opportunity to utilize all law enforcement personnel in fulfilling functions at the jail. His final recommendation is to develop a long-range manpower plan to address remodeling, moving the dispatch function and final staffing of the jail.