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Hibbing Public Utilities adopts federal grant compliance policy, accepts retirement and approves hires and committee changes
Summary
Commissioners adopted a federal grant compliance policy recommended by auditors, accepted a 40‑year employee retirement, approved several hires and job postings, and established personnel and hiring committee appointment procedures.
The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission on April 22 adopted a federal grant compliance policy, accepted the retirement of a long‑time employee, approved multiple staffing actions and created procedures for commissioner appointments to standing committees.
General Manager Andy Peterson told the commission auditors recommended a federal grant compliance policy because the utility’s federally stipulated funds exceeded $3,000,000 in 2024. "The policy is relatively straightforward. It mimics a lot of the existing compliance requirements we have under state law for funds," Peterson said, and he recommended adoption. The commission adopted the policy by motion.
The commission also accepted the retirement notice of Terry Garrity, who Peterson said served the utility for 40 years. A motion to accept the retirement carried unanimously; commissioners thanked Garrity for his service.
Personnel actions approved included declaring a vacancy and posting internally for the Electrical Maintenance and Instrumentation Crew Leader position (vacated by the appointment leading to the retirement), re‑posting externally for an Accounting Analyst position after an earlier accepted candidate withdrew, and approving the hire of Doug Hobbs as an Electrical Maintenance and Instrumentation Technician. Peterson said applicants for summer student positions were recommended in the packet and the commission approved hires for the summer student program; staff noted additional hires could be added later if needed.
Commissioners also addressed committees. The commission established a personnel committee for exempt employee matters (two commissioners and management staff), authorized the chair to appoint commission members to committees, and approved a rule allowing up to two commissioners to serve on each committee. Commissioners said the labor‑management committee meets monthly and welcomed commissioner participation.
Votes to adopt the federal grant compliance policy, accept Garrity’s retirement, approve the job postings and hires, and adopt the committee appointment procedures were all approved during the meeting.
