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CASS COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE ZONE BOARD MEETING <br />August 3, 2020 <br /> <br />MINUTES <br /> <br />With quorum present, Director Ferguson called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. <br /> <br />Present: Chad Peterson, Mary Scherling, Rick Steen, Glenn Ellingsberg, Ken Pawluk, Duane <br />Breitling, Robert Wilson (all present via Teams Meeting) <br />Absent: Brian Hagen <br />Presenter: Pearl Ferguson, Human Services Zone Director; <br /> <br />I. Approval of Minutes <br />Ms. Scherling made a motion to approve the July 6, 2020 Board minutes. Mr. Steen seconded it. <br />Motion carried. <br /> <br />II. Operations Report <br />Director Ferguson opened with a personnel report. Five new Economic Assistant Workers <br />started today. This filled several openings and will give the seasoned workers a break in their <br />caseloads since they have been covering for the vacancies. There are also additional positions, in <br />various levels of recruiting which include a part-time Social Worker III in Case Management <br />along with two other full-time positions in Case Management. Mr. Breitling asked how the hiring <br />and retirement process compare to last year. Referring to the number of individuals leaving and <br />the type of turnover in the department. Ms. Ferguson agreed she had the same question and <br />has assessed some pockets of turnover in the organization, but this has not yet been compared <br />historically. This information can be collected and evaluated to determine the level of voluntary, <br />involuntary, or due to retirement. This has not been done yet but is on the list of things to do. <br />There have been at least 4 retirements this year, many who had 20+ years of experience and <br />collective knowledge will be missed. <br /> <br />When asked if there were any additional personnel questions, Mr. Breitling stated he <br />understands a substantial percentage of staff will no longer be eligible for step increases. He <br />asked if this had an impact or has there been any feedback? Ms. Ferguson reported the state did <br />not approve annual raises for any Human Service Zone members across the state for 2020. So, <br />those who would have normally received a raise did not this year. There are plans to give raises <br />next year similar to the states pay increases in the past. The state works with a percentage <br />increase, but it is not clear how that aligns with the step process. Further clarification will be <br />needed from the state. Staff have asked about raises and information available has been openly <br />shared. Another issue for staff is the higher starting wage in 2020. Because there were no pay <br />increases from 2019 to 2020 the base pay range is higher for a new employee in 2020 than for <br />an employee who was hired in 2019. So, there is a discrepancy in pay but the process to <br />determine an employee’s starting wage has been in alignment with how everything has been <br />done in the past. There have been some frustrations reported but Ms. Ferguson has assured <br />employees there has been no discretionary changes in payment. <br /> <br />Ms. Scherling asked if there are still employees working remotely, how it is working and how are <br />scheduling appointments going? Ms. Ferguson reported things are going well. The adult <br />services team of 4 is working from home but 80% of their work in in the field. The staff are