Crow Wing County trains seasonal watercraft inspectors as county warns state funding may be halved

Crow Wing County staff held a training session for seasonal watercraft inspectors to review inspection procedures, safety protocols and data reporting ahead of the summer season. The class covered clocking and scheduling through the QuickBooks/Workforce app, use of tablets and the county inspector hotline, survey and violation reporting timelines, and decontamination procedures.

The training matters because the county’s AIS inspection program covers 43 prioritized boat landings and about 14,000 seasonal hours of work; staff told attendees that state funding that has historically underpinned the program—typically in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars—appears poised to be reduced by roughly half next year, a cut that could require fewer inspectors or reduced coverage. Eric, a staff member leading the session, said staff will present options to the county board for how to respond if funding is cut.

Program operations and data rules were front and center. Trainers walked inspectors through when to clock in and out, how to use the QuickBooks/Workforce app to request time off, and the county’s expectation that inspectors submit weekly timesheets (deadline: every Friday). Staff emphasized that the first paycheck is mailed as a paper check, thereafter paychecks go to direct deposit, and that the employee‑self‑service portal (ESS) must be used to view pay and W‑2 information.

Inspectors were shown how to find the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inspection manual and the county manual on their tablets (offline copies available) and were instructed that any violation requiring photographic evidence must be uploaded from the tablet to the DNR system within 24 hours. Trainers repeatedly advised against double‑submitting surveys (only one inspector should complete the DNR survey per boat), explained how to use the green supply bag and the flag, and explained that two county mobile decontamination units will operate this season.

Safety and enforcement were covered in a separate presentation by Sergeant Brady of the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, water division. Brady described the sheriff’s unit’s focus on safety enforcement during peak times and urged inspectors to report crashes, impaired operators and hazardous launches. "We're typically focused where the crowds are at, where the problems are at, where the complaints are coming in," Sergeant Brady said, describing the division’s emphasis on peak‑time presence and registration and safety checks.

The training also addressed on‑the‑water compliance steps: if attached zebra mussels or other prohibited material are observed that cannot be removed by hand, inspectors should complete violation and transportation paperwork and recommend or require a decontamination (decon) stop; trainers said inspectors may deny launch in cases where attached prohibited AIS are present. Staff described decon temperature guidelines and routine maintenance for decon units and noted a $2‑per‑hour premium is available for inspectors who operate decon units.

Trainers closed with field tips and administrative reminders: bring shade, plenty of water and a chair, check for ticks, follow attendance rules (arrive 10–15 minutes early, do not clock in until at the landing), call 911 for emergencies and then notify the county hotline, and turn in HR paperwork to the back office. Staff said they will continue to send weekly emails with decon locations and staffing updates, and asked returning inspectors to help mentor new staff during early shifts.

Next steps: staff will present funding‑reduction response options to the county board; until the board acts, inspectors were told to prepare to operate under existing procedures and to prioritize high‑risk (red) landings. The county did not adopt any new policy or formal vote during the training.