County Administrator Brett Skyles says the Facilities Management position has been open for a long enough period of time. He recommended the board consider revamping the qualifications and requirements for the position. They discussed raising the grade-level pay of the position and potentially reducing the education requirement from a Bachelor’s Degree, to an Associate’s, with consideration for experience as well. Any qualifications above the minimum requirements would add additional points or consideration to the candidates application.
With the proposed changes, the county will update the employment information for the position and the board will reconsider a vote when finalized.
Eric Villeneuve presented a letter drafted for the board to consider signing in regard to a membership to Northwestern MN Juvenile Center out of Bemidji. The letter would begin the negotiations for the membership and Itasca County Commissioner Cory Smith (D1) says it would be a fiscally responsible decision to become a member, while motioning in support.
“I’m thankful you and Joe (Dasovich) went over there and started this conversation with them. The payback on that would be pretty quick if we can get in the door for what we’re thinking. The rates are going to save the county quite a bit of money over the time of the contract, plus get us a seat at the table for us to put our two cents in.”
The board signed the letter to apply for the membership.
Kory Cease with the Land Department presented the contract award for the Bass Lake Improvement Project, awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Gilbert Contracting Services, in the amount of $213,528. The project was originally put out for bid in August, but the county only received a single bid. They reposted it in September and received three bids, selecting Gilbert Contracting Services.
The board approved to award the contract.
Cease also requested the board adopt a resolution for an IRRR Culture and Tourism Grant application. The bid came in higher than expected and Cease and his staff were working quickly to submit the $30,000 grant request before the deadline.
“I would like to thank your staff for recognizing the time sensitivity of this grant application and acting on it as quickly as possible to try and secure as much grant funding as you can,” said Itasca Board Chair John Johnson (D3) as the board adopted the resolution.
Ceases’ final order of business before regarding storage leases throughout the county. Cease recommended the board approve available storage buildings be leased by the Itasca County Agriculture Association (ICAA), with the revenue generated going into park maintenance accounts.
Johnson iterated the county will not engage in an enterprise that undercuts local business and that any agreement should reflect the market, and requested a market analysis of other similar operations to ensure fair business practices are followed. Cease said a market study had been done earlier in the year by the ICAA, and he will present it to the commissioners at a later date.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting:
Commissioner Warrants, Gail Guck of the Itasca County Auditor’s Office presented $685,664.62 for Commissioner Warrants, and said she will now deliver the warrant totals on a weekly basis
Appointed Janet Bilden to the Water Plan Implementation Committee (WPIC) to fill an expired vacancy, effective Oct. 8, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2027.
Approved a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Itasca County and University of Minnesota Extension.
Authorized IMCare Director and County Board Chair to sign the contract between IMCare and Grey Matter, LLC.
To view the Itasca County Board meeting in its entirety, it can be found online at watchictv.org/
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