Pine County board approves labor agreement, multiple personnel actions and appointments; grants coordinator reclassification approved over one dissent

The Pine County Board of Commissioners approved a package of personnel actions, a union labor agreement and several intergovernmental appointments during Thursday’s meeting, with one recorded dissent on the grant/programs coordinator reclassification.

Key votes included approval of the 2025–26 labor agreement with corrections officers and dispatchers, acceptance of multiple resignations and authorization to backfill positions across Health & Human Services and the Sheriff’s Office, redesignation and recruitment authorization for a grant and programs coordinator position, and board appointments to a joint drainage authority and the Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board.

County Administrator Dave Menke told the board the corrections and dispatchers’ contract had been negotiated earlier, went to mediation and was later ratified by union members. "The union did vote in favor of it," Menke said. Chair Moore said he was disappointed in the union voter turnout but noted the contract was ratified and the county was implementing the mediated agreement.

The board approved the labor agreement on…