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Commissioners and departments continue study of combining weed and predator control duties
Summary
County officials discussed, but did not approve, consolidation of the Noxious Weed and Predator departments; staff raised concerns about income, licensing and Social Security impacts for a long-serving employee.
Lincoln County commissioners and department representatives on June 16 discussed whether to consolidate the county’s Noxious Weed and Predator control functions but took no formal action.
Officials said the two programs generate revenue and have overlapping duties but that consolidation raised personnel and benefit concerns. Commissioner and department representatives said they met with the Weed Department board and learned that making a key Predator employee full-time year-round could reduce that worker’s Social Security benefits and create financial detriment for him.
Commissioner remarks and the board’s discussion concluded the consolidation would be revisited after further analysis. In the interim, the county will keep the departments separate and have the Predator employee continue part time under the weed program, with limited overtime, while staff research options for additional hires to reduce overtime pressure.
Participants agreed the two departments share operational needs and that the weed department director will pursue required licensing and certifications that would be necessary if consolidation moves forward in the future. The board called the discussion a “great start” and said it would return to the topic after the weed board and staff provide additional cost and licensing information.
