Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stevens County approves warrants, contract updates and a $500 referral bonus for deputy hires
Summary
The board approved a human services warrant for $178,234.38, accepted updated service agreements and MOUs, authorized a $500 employee referral bonus for two deputy positions, and approved an accounting adjustment reversing $62,739.25 to capital funding as presented in the packet.
During the consent and business portions of the meeting, the Stevens County Board approved several routine and finance items including warrants, contract language updates, an employee referral incentive for sheriff’s deputy vacancies and an accounting adjustment tied to the audit.
Human services staff presented a warrant totaling $178,234.38 for approval; the board approved the payment by voice vote. County staff explained that county attorney review had updated statutory language in various fiscal contracts and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) without rate changes; the board approved the contract updates and a separate MOU with the Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center by motion.
The board also considered a recruitment incentive for two open deputy positions. Staff proposed authorizing a $500 referral bonus payable to any Stevens County employee who makes a successful referral leading to a hire that completes probation; the county indicated the maximum exposure would be $1,000 (one referral paid per position) and that funds would come from the sheriff’s miscellaneous budget. Commissioners approved the referral incentive by voice vote.
Other finance items included an accounting adjustment tied to the audit: staff moved to reverse an entry back to capital and transfer $62,739.25 back to the sheriff’s account for squad repairs; the board approved the adjustment. Finally, commissioners approved routine commissioner warrants by motion.
Why it matters: These items reflect routine county fiscal operations and human resources efforts; the referral incentive is a short‑term recruiting tool staff said is preferable to frequent paid advertising costs.
What’s next: Staff will process contracts and MOUs with updated language, pay the approved warrant, post the referral program for the two deputy openings, and complete the accounting adjustment as directed by the board.
