Rusk County board ratifies jailer‑dispatchers contract, approves pay for chief deputy and routine appointments

Rusk County supervisors ratified several personnel and administrative items during the meeting, including a collective bargaining agreement for jailer‑dispatchers and a pay placement for the sheriff’s chief deputy.

On labor matters the board approved a new collective-bargaining agreement covering jailer and dispatcher employees. The agreement takes effect upon passage and runs through Dec. 31, 2026; the board ratified the terms as recommended by the personnel committee and authorized the personnel-committee chair to sign the agreement on the county’s behalf. The vote to ratify the agreement was 18–0.

The board also approved a pay-step placement for the sheriff’s chief deputy, moving that position to step 5 on the county pay scale and making the change retroactive to May 1, the board said. Supervisors voted 18–0 to approve the adjustment.

Other board actions included: - Election to the Highway Committee: Supervisors nominated and cast a unanimous ballot to appoint Ron Freeman to the county highway committee; the nomination was accepted by Freeman and the vote was recorded as unanimous. - Tax-deed ordinance amendment: Supervisors amended Rusk County ordinance language to align with recent state statutory changes regarding excess proceeds when property is taken for unpaid taxes; the update passed by majority vote. - Ratification of counsel authority: The board confirmed county counsel's authority to add additional defendants in opioid‑related litigation and related actions; vote passed by majority. - 2024 budget amendments and contingency transfers: The board considered line-item transfers and amendments intended to close out 2024; the finance committee had vetted most items ahead of the meeting and the board adopted the recommended amendments by majority vote. - Ad hoc construction committee makeup: Supervisors amended the earlier ad hoc construction committee — removing the county-board chair as a voting member and adding a highway representative (appointment of Supervisor Biller to the committee was made by board vote).

Several items, including a proposed property purchase, were discussed in closed session, and the board reported it returned to open session and indicated edits were made to that matter before adjournment.

Board discussion was procedural and largely supportive of the recommendations from standing committees; votes were taken by roll call or voice as recorded in the meeting minutes.