Commissioners approve offer for courthouse maintenance position with six-month trial at $20/hour

The Griggs County Commission authorized offering a courthouse maintenance position to the top candidate at $20 per hour with a six‑month trial period.

Commissioners said interviews were conducted with two candidates and that the preferred candidate has experience with equipment operation, building systems, chemical licensing for grounds maintenance and basic custodial and maintenance tasks. Commissioners discussed pay comparators for similar local positions and noted that $21 per hour was a suggested rate; by motion they instead authorized a $20 per hour starting wage as a trial offer, with the possibility of adjustment after the trial and during next year’s budget process.

Commissioners asked the auditor and facilities staff to prepare a job checklist and outline expectations (snow removal, lawn care, on-call tasks for events, basic equipment operation) and to ensure the new hire has a supplies and equipment plan — including a carpet cleaner and other initial purchases — funded from the maintenance budget. The meeting record shows commissioners also discussed flexibility of hours and that the county would factor the employee into this year’s budget and next year’s allocation.

Why it matters: The county said it needs regular, onsite maintenance to keep the courthouse and grounds safe and attractive, reduce outsourcing, and provide quicker responses for snow removal or urgent upkeep. Commissioners acknowledged a learning curve for the new position and left open future adjustments to wages and duties.

Vote: The motion to offer the position at $20/hour with a six-month trial passed by roll-call vote recorded in the minutes; individual commissioner votes were read aloud and the chair announced the motion carried.

Next steps: Staff will make the offer to the candidate, complete onboarding procedures, and return to the commission with position start date and initial equipment purchases.