Personnel matters on agenda

by April Scheinoha Reporter The Pennington County Board approved a bonanza of personnel matters at its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 27. In separate motions, commissioners approved hiring two full-time corrections officers and four part-time corrections officers, effective Monday, March 4. They include: • Kylie Delage, full-time corrections officer • Adrien Verbout, full-time corrections officer • Dylan Gustafson, part-time corrections officer • Sarah Kotrba, part-time corrections officer • Storm Manning, part-time corrections officer • Sebastian Ramon-Salinas, part-time corrections officer Sheriff Seth Vettleson said the county had received 14 applications in the last round of jail hiring. In terms of staffing, he said the jail has a much better staffing situation than the majority of jails in the state. In separate motions, commissioners accepted the resignations of two corrections officers. Ron Kjelland, whose resignation is effective March 4, and Chesnie Wojciechowski, whose resignation is effective April 26. County Board approved hiring John E. Hamre as the veterans service officer, effective Monday, Feb. 28. County Coordinator Kevin Erickson said 10 people applied for the position with six being interviewed. Hamre succeeds Steve Stone, who is retiring Friday, April 5. Stone will train Hamre in the position. Commissioners met in closed session for about 50 minutes to discuss pending litigation involving an unnamed county employee. They met with County Attorney Seamus Duffy and Kendra Olson, an attorney with Pemberton Law. That firm has historically represented the county on employment matters. After reopening the meeting to the public, commissioners took no action on that matter. County Board approved creating the position of lead custodian and advertising internally for the position. At their last meeting, commissioners approved a revised job description for the position. After Bjorklund Compensation Consulting reviewed the job description, it encouraged commissioners to list the position as lead custodian. County Coordinator Kevin Erickson previously said the county isn’t adding a position since commissioners aren’t planning to backfill the promoted individual’s current position. Commissioners approved advertising for an IT technician. Commissioners briefly considered the matter at their last meeting, but they wanted to review the job description to determine whether to advertise the position again. The position, which had only been filled for about a month and a half, remains full-time. County Board approved a 30-day leave of absence for Amber Vareberg. She is employed as a deputy assessor/appraiser. Commissioners appointed Commissioners Neil Peterson and Roy Sourdif to the canvassing board. The canvassing board will meet Friday, March 8 to canvas the results of the presidential primary.