St. Croix County committee approves staffing, policy and budget actions; public health reclassification passes 4–1

Members of a St. Croix County committee approved a slate of personnel, policy and budget actions at a regular meeting, voting unanimously on most items and passing one contested personnel reclassification 4–1.

Votes at a glance - Reclassification to pool eight FTEs across land‑use and conservation technician and planner classifications: approved unanimously. Proponents said the change preserves total FTEs while increasing hiring flexibility to address recruitment difficulties for specialized planner positions.

- Creation of a single public health strategist position by merging the public health educator (grant funded and vacant) and the epidemiologist role: approved 4–1. The new position was recommended at grade 24; supporters said it preserves surveillance and education functions within budget constraints. Chair Birney recorded the lone no vote.

- Resolution amending personnel policies (remote work changes tied to Minnesota paid family and medical leave and IT acceptable use consolidation): approved unanimously. County staff said St. Croix County has opted out of Minnesota's paid‑leave program and will limit employees to working no more than 50% of…