Griggs County commission to advertise contract and staff options for courthouse maintenance and housekeeping

Griggs County commissioners voted May 13 to advertise options for covering courthouse maintenance and housekeeping, including contracting out services and recruiting either a contracted maintenance manager and a contracted housekeeper or one full-time maintenance/housekeeper position.

The vote came after staff presented three cost options: keep two part-time positions without benefits (estimated $47,005.47 annually), merge the duties into one full-time position with benefits (estimated $62,006.71 annually) or contract the services (estimated about $50,000–$51,000 annually). The motion to advertise the contract and hiring options was made by Commissioner Josh (last name not specified) and seconded by Commissioner Rod (last name not specified); commissioners carried the motion by voice vote.

The presentation and subsequent discussion focused on the commissioners' need to identify potential budget savings under a stated 3% cap on budget increases. County staff emphasized that the numbers presented were preliminary estimates and "spitball" figures for discussion, and commissioners discussed a mix of contracting specific tasks (window cleaning, mowing, snow removal, weed control and carpet cleaning) while leaving other responsibilities to a maintenance manager or county employee.

Why it matters: the county is seeking ways to trim operating costs while preserving building maintenance and public-safety considerations. Commissioners cited safety concerns about high-window cleaning and vacuuming during business hours as reasons to contract out some work, and noted the recent, publicized departure of the courthouse housekeeper, who has more than two decades of service to the county.

Details provided in the meeting: - Options and rough cost estimates presented by staff: current combined position cost shown as $78,008.26; keeping two part-time positions without benefits estimated $47,005.47; a single full-time maintenance/housekeeper position estimated $62,006.71 (including benefits); contracting out key services estimated roughly $50,005.55–$51,002.76 depending on assumptions and whether a $1,000 materials line is included. Staff repeatedly described the figures as preliminary and adjustable. - Contracting examples and price checks discussed in the meeting: a window-cleaning vendor quoted $325 for outside-only cleaning and $895 for inside-and-outside cleaning; using a quarterly inside-and-outside schedule was discussed; lawn mowing was estimated roughly $150 per mowing for about 25 mowings; carpet cleaning and snow removal were noted as items to get written quotes for and to revisit closer to winter. - Proposed advertisement items (as described in the motion carried): quarterly inside-and-outside window cleaning; contracted mowing and weed control; obtain a quote on carpet cleaning; advertise a contracted housekeeper at $1,500 per month (flat fee) and a contracted maintenance manager at $1,700 per month (flat fee); and, as an alternative, advertise a full-time combined maintenance/housekeeper employee (40 hours/week) with benefits at an estimated total cost of $62,006.71. The commission agreed to advertise both contracting options and a full-time position. - Hiring and application timeline: commissioners asked staff to place a two-week advertisement in the county's legal notices (and to use social media where appropriate) and to accept applications through the end of May (the presenters and commissioners agreed on an application cutoff near "the thirtieth"). Final interview and hiring steps were left for a subsequent meeting or a hiring subcommittee.

Discussion and community context: multiple commissioners and staff discussed operational risks and logistics — for example, whether the county's road department could perform courthouse snow removal early in the day to reduce contract costs, and the need for clear written duties if the county hires a maintenance manager or contracts the work. Commissioners also discussed preserving institutional knowledge and acknowledged long service by the departing custodian: several commissioners thanked Debbie (identified in the meeting as the long-serving courthouse custodian) for decades of service and discussed negotiating terms if she or Brian (both named in the discussion as possible applicants or contacts) wished to apply for a contracted role.

Outcome and next steps: the board approved the motion to advertise the contracting and hiring options and to obtain quotes for windows, mowing/weeds and carpet cleaning. Commissioners agreed to revisit snow removal later and to evaluate applications after the advertisement period. Staff was directed to prepare the advertisement and to return with quotes and a final candidate list for a future meeting.

Votes at a glance: motion to advertise contracting and hiring options — mover: Commissioner Josh; seconder: Commissioner Rod; outcome: approved by voice vote (recorded as carried).