Human Resources Director Ben reported department staffing activity and pension discussions and asked the board to authorize posting and hiring a central dispatcher position.

Ben told commissioners the county had recently filled six positions, with 12 positions posted and a vacancy ratio of 14.83% (12-month average 12.9%). He recommended and the board approved a motion authorizing the controller's office to post and hire an additional central dispatcher for the central-dispatch function; the board approved the hiring authorization by voice vote.

Ben updated the board on ongoing discussions with MERS (Municipal Employees' Retirement System). He said MERS is running an analysis that might allow the county to add five years to amortization schedules for certain pension groups if the county makes a one-time payment; initial estimates exclude some groups such as the Command Group due to funding levels. Staff expect MERS' analysis results by early July and said any decisions would be included in the budget process.

Separately, Ben reported that the county's 45-day petition period for a capital-improvement bond expired with no referendum petitions filed, allowing the county to proceed with a sale later in the month. The bond structure included $3.5 million for capital improvements (to be expended over three years) and $1.9 million for a bank-drain project. Road Commission participation in paying its apportionment of drain costs reduced the required bond size by about $5.3 million overall, staff said.

The board approved the central-dispatch hiring authorization; no vote was required on MERS analysis or the bond update beyond informational updates and procedural items.