04-05-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--April 5, 2004 2712 Mr. Wagner was under the assumption that in the past, temporary staff was hard to retain; therefore, employees were cross-trained in vector control, so if the weather was too windy to spray for weeds, they could help the vector department. Mr. Wilcox said this was problematic because if an employee worked overtime for vector control the previous night and did not come in until noon, the best time to spray for weeds was missed. Mr. Wagner would like to see a compromise between the weed board and the county. Mrs. Sorum asked the county auditor to provide levy information. Mr. Montplaisir said the weed and vector each has its own levy and separate budgets. The weed control levy for this year is 2.35 mills and does not include the City of Fargo. Mrs. Sorum said the meeting held last month was productive and feels the weed board wants to have a more effective season this year. Ken Hagen, Weed Board member, said the board wants some continuity and he expects the new weed officer to be a supervisor, mechanic and also be able to spray for weeds. MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to accept a recommendation from the Cass County Weed Control Board to separate the weed and vector operations and authorize the Weed Control Board to hire a weed officer and oversee the duties of this position. On roll call vote, the motion carried with three members voting "Aye" and Mr. Wagner and Mr. Vanyo voting "No". Mr. Wagner suggested the chairman of the weed board communicate with the State's Attorney and County Auditor when working out any issues in the upcoming months. 16. STATE'S ATTORNEY, Budaet to be amended to include additional funds for temporary staff Mr. Burdick has nine assistant prosecutors in the State's Attorney office. Two of the attorneys are scheduled to be gone on twelve weeks of family medical leave around the same time this spring and summer. Typically, existing staff would cover the office during times of temporary staff shortages; however, with two attorneys on extended leave, the office is unable to adequately handle their work load. Mr. Burdick distributed a handout that included budget information and options. He presented two scenarios for obtaining additional attorney assistance over this time period. He expects a cost savings of approximately $20,000 due to several factors outlined in his handout. Both options include an additional summer law clerk at a cost of $5,800 and a part-time attorney (40% of a child support attorney) at a cost of $10,000. The only difference between the two is the first option includes $17,000 for a temporary full-time attorney at five months of a C44 pay grade; whereas, the second option includes $86,000 for a contracted attorney for five months at $100 per hour. He would prefer to use the first option, but he feels that finding a temporary full-time attorney will be very difficult. Mr. Montplaisir said $7,000 will still be needed under the first option after factoring in the $20,000 cost savings.