The Keith County Board of Commissioners directed County Attorney Randy Ferrer to monitor clock‑in records and evaluate health‑insurance eligibility for a part‑time county attorney who also works for other counties.

Randy Ferrer explained the individual in question is appointed as a part‑time county attorney for Keith County but also serves other counties; commissioners and staff discussed whether the employee should be classified as full‑time for county benefits if she routinely works at least 32 hours per week for Keith County. Ferrer and staff clarified that Keith County’s policy considers 32 hours to meet the county’s full‑time eligibility threshold for insurance and that the county currently requires work‑status documentation when an external inquiry is made.

Commissioner Ervin made a motion that ‘‘the clock in and health insurance be monitored by the county attorney, that it would include the work studies’’; the motion passed on roll call. Commissioners discussed options including continuing time sheets retained in the county attorney’s office, classifying the position as salaried/full‑time for Keith County, and the statutory limits on deputies and county attorneys in similarly sized counties.

Why it matters: the decision determines which office will retain source payroll/time documentation and who will respond to formal work‑status inquiries. It also affects how the county interprets eligibility for health insurance benefits for an employee who splits time across multiple counties.

Clarifications recorded in the meeting: commissioners noted that if the employee’s Keith County hours meet or exceed 32 weekly hours, she becomes eligible for county insurance under county rules; if not, she would not qualify. The board recorded that time sheets will be kept as accountability documentation by the county attorney’s office and that any formal work‑status inquiry will be forwarded to that office.