June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Cass board OKs two union contracts
Additionally, employees who have worked for the county less than 10 years will move one step higher July 1 each year on a 10-step scale, giving them a mid-year raise amounting to about 3 percent.
Those who have reached the top of the scale after 10 years will receive a longevity payment at the end of the year equal to about 1.75 percent of their monthly base pay multiplied by the total full years of Cass County service.
Anyone who retires before the end of a year gets a prorated longevity payment.
The longevity multiplier increased from 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent beginning in 2015.
An annual uniform allowance given to land department field personnel will rise from $125 to $175. The county contribution to employee insurance will increase from $944 per month to $1,060 in 2015. Any insurance increase for 2016 will be split 50-50 with employees in 2016.
Highway department employees' clothing allowance will remain unchanged: maintenance and engineering personnel, $425 per year; shop personnel, $325 per year.
The agreements approved Tuesday include those covering courthouse personnel who are members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, and highway department personnel who are members of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49.
Central Services Director Tim Richardson obtained board approval to hire Bay Carpet and Tile of Walker under a bid rate received two years ago to install new carpet on two floors of health, human and veterans services building and in the computer center at the courthouse for $41,500.
Auditor-Treasurer Sharon Anderson reported the county received $867,340.26 interest earned on investments or 112 percent of budget projections for 2014 and up from $763,675.95 received in 2013.
The board named the following commissioner representatives to District 2 Association of Minnesota Counties committees: Dick Downham, environmental and natural resources; Bob Kangas, general government; Neal Gaalswyk, public safety; Scott Bruns, health and human services; David Enblom, transportation; and Dick Downham, Indian Affairs Advisory.
County Attorney Christopher Strandlie obtained board approval to negotiate a contract with the city of Walker to provide legal services to the city of Walker for prosecuting misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases the city police department files.
Strandlie will return to ask the board to approve final contract terms before the change would take effect. Walker City Council also must approve the agreement.
If approved, proceeds from court ordered fines and fees previously going to the city would be reassigned to the county.
Strandlie said this will leave only the city of Pine River to continue using a private attorney for such legal services.
The board approved out of state travel for Assistant County Attorney Jeanine Brand to attend an Indian Country Strangulation and Suffocation Seminar and for Sheriff's Deputy Eric Lueth to attend a Human Trafficking in Indian Country Seminar at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, So. Car., in February.
The only cost to the county will be normal employee wages.
Cass County Economic Development Director Gail Leverson informed the county board that non-profit agency now will give priority to projects proposing to provide more than five jobs which pay over $12 per hour, have a taxable value of $1 million or more and are shovel ready.
She reported three projects she is now working on will meet all four criteria, while another three meet three of four the criteria.
Currently, Leverson said she is working with nine manufacturing firms, four in health care firms, six in retail/service firms and one agricultural project. The highest interest is being shown for projects to locate in Walker and Pillager.
Any anonymous donor gave $20 to the sheriff's department with a note stating appreciation for a deputy's services.
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