The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 12 directed staff to analyze costs and options for converting the interim human resources contractor to a permanent, in-house HR position.
Commissioners said the interim hire has been on assignment through a staffing firm and that the commission discussed a potential buyout or conversion to a full-time position during a prior working session. Chair Bayless and others said a financial analysis is needed to determine the break-even point versus continuing through the staffing firm. "Maybe the motion should be to research the, the buying out or the placing that individual into a permanent position," staff said; the commission then voted to have staff return with numbers at the September meeting or working session.
Why this matters: Converting a contractor to a permanent employee affects personnel costs, benefits expense and future recruiting needs. Commissioners noted the interim arrangement allowed a probationary period to assess fit but said making the position permanent could remove interim uncertainty for the employee and the utility.
Next steps: Staff will prepare cost estimates, including buyout costs to end the staffing contract, comparative salary and benefits, and a breakeven analysis, and report those findings to the commission at the next working session and the September action meeting.