Minnehaha County Commission approves $1.28 million in bills, multiple personnel actions and extends COVID sick leave
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Summary
At its Dec. 7 meeting the Minnehaha County Commission approved $1,277,826.53 in vouchers, authorized numerous hires, promotions and step increases, continued extended COVID‑related sick leave through May 31, 2022, and recommended a 5% salary increase for several elected officials.
The Minnehaha County Commission voted Dec. 7 to approve $1,277,826.53 in bills covering county vendors and services and to enact a package of personnel moves across county departments. The voucher motion passed on a 4‑0 voice vote.
Commissioners also approved multiple personnel actions, including new hires in the State’s Attorney’s Office (Clayton Dahl; Katie O’Leary), a variable‑hour hire for the Treasurer’s Office (Corrine Torkelson), promotions (Jeanne Rivera to caseworker in Human Services; Joy West to Safe Home Manager) and numerous step increases for Highway, Jail and other county staff. The personnel approvals were bundled under a single motion and recorded as approved by the Commission.
The Commission voted to continue Extended Sick Leave Benefits for documented COVID‑19 related absences (after employees exhaust 24 hours of paid time off) through May 31, 2022. The motion to extend the policy passed 4‑0.
Finance staff reported two budget‑coverage requests tied to personnel savings: the Auditor’s Office‑Elections asked to use about $3,000 in personnel savings to cover software and licensing costs; the Jail requested use of an estimated $392,700 in personnel savings to cover contract service shortfalls. The Commission authorized the use of unused personnel savings to address those operational expenses.
Carey Deaver, Human Resources Director, briefed commissioners on elected official salary history and market comparisons; commissioners offered a preliminary recommendation of a 5% increase for the Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Register of Deeds, Auditor and Treasurer and requested staff action before the Dec. 21 meeting.
The meeting record lists detailed vendor payments, personnel listings and effective dates for hires and promotions. The Commission recessed briefly, entered executive session later in the agenda, and adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2021.