08-21-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 21,2006 3117 f. Authorize the chairman to sign a purchase order for office furniture for the Road Department in the amount of $6,941.55 from Hannaher's Inc. 6. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, ReQuest to hire correctional officer approved Glenn Ellingsberg, Chief Deputy, was present. He said a deputy from the court transport team has been on family medical leave since May 30, 2006. The employee does not plan to return to work for another five or six weeks and his family medical leave expires at the end of August. Mr. Ellingsberg said in order to cover the vacancy, he has filled the position with overtime. He is requesting to hire a Correctional Officer I because this is less costly than paying overtime. He would hire the position to work at the jail and move a Correctional Officer III from the jail to court transport. The jail's full-time salary budget will have a $20,000 surplus at the end of the year and this new hire would cost the county $8,708 without benefits for the remainder of 2006. Mr. Vanyo said hiring the new officer is a gamble because if the staff person does not return to work, the county is saving money by not paying overtime; however, if the employee returns from his leave of absence, Mr. Ellingsberg will have to find another opening for the new position. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to authorize the Sheriff's Department to hire a Correctional Officer I position effective September 1, 2006, in order to fill a vacancy on court transport due to family medical leave. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 7. FARGO SENIOR COMMISSION, FundinQ reQuest of $40,000 approved for new center, administrative offices Brian Arett, Executive Director of the Fargo Senior Commission, Inc., was present. Also present were Roger Gress and Jim Larson from the Fargo Park District. Mr. Arett briefly reviewed the schematic design of the proposed senior center, administrative offices and city library to be located at 32nd Avenue and 28th Street South in Fargo. He said the total cost estimate is $1.7 million, with $775,000 for the offices and $900,000 for the senior center. Mr. Arett said a new facility is needed in order to meet growing needs because their agency has a serious space shortage. He said they have been offered funding from two different sources to hire additional staff; however, office space is not available to house any more employees. He outlined other concerns including limited file storage as well as a lack of privacy for staff to meet with clients. He said the county has the authority to levy two mills for the senior citizen fund, but currently levies one mill, and without county participation, their agency will have difficulty to cover operational expenses. Mr. Vanyo asked about the number of senior citizens from the rural area that visit the Fargo facility. He feels this is a fairness issue because the county does not fund capital improvement projects for senior centers in the rural areas. Mr. Arett said approximately 10% of their population are from outside the city. Mr. Wagner asked if the Fargo Senior Commission will conduct any private fund raisers. Mr. Arett said their organization has pledged to raise $200,000 and has requested $100,000 from the Otto Bremer Foundation. Mr. Wagner asked about the percentage of meals provided to residents outside Fargo. Mr. Arett said the Fargo Senior Commission serves