Split vote appoints Mike Karey Road Superintendent as pay and classification debates continue

The Dunn County Board of County Commissioners approved appointing Interim Road Superintendent Mike Karey to the permanent Road Superintendent position April 1, after a 3–1 roll-call vote with Commissioner Tracey Dolezal opposed.

Commissioner Kleemann moved to appoint Karey without advertising the position; Commissioners Heiser, Pelton and Kleemann voted in favor and Commissioner Dolezal voted no, citing concerns about skipping recruitment. The board later authorized closing the external job notice and notifying applicants, and discussed whether the position should remain salary-exempt or be converted to hourly—no final salary classification change was adopted at the meeting.

Separately, the commission approved moving four road employees who received lead designations up one grade in the pay scale, converting the existing dollar differential into base pay. Commissioner Dolezal opposed that motion and said she preferred retaining the differential until the county completes a pay-scale correction for all positions.

The board also considered a policy committee recommendation to set employee hours at 36 for a week that includes a Friday holiday; that motion failed for lack of a second, meaning road employees will receive six more paid hours than other county employees for the holiday week. County officials tabled a broader salary discussion for later.

County staff said they will notify applicants of the closed recruitment and will return with any recommended salary adjustments for the Road Superintendent position.