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County attorney advises focusing on facts as commissioners consider response to treasurer’s office grievances
Summary
The county attorney briefed commissioners on grievances filed related to the treasurer's office, warned about risks (hostile work environment, retaliation) and advised keeping discussion at the level of undisputed facts; commissioners discussed issuing a written warning to the deputy treasurer and offering up to two weeks paid leave as an option.
The county attorney, speaking at the June 15 Daniels County meeting, summarized fact‑gathering on grievances and personnel issues in the treasurer's office and outlined legal risks, including potential claims of a hostile work environment, retaliation or workplace safety failures.
The attorney said the safest approach is to focus on undisputed facts and to preserve attorney‑client privilege if commissioners move to consider legal questions in executive session. "If we start to discuss those legal questions in an open meeting, you're going to lose that privilege," the attorney told the board.
Commissioners discussed possible responses. They asked the attorney to prepare a written warning for Deputy Treasurer Librand to place in the personnel file and debated offering the deputy up to two weeks paid leave "as an offer" to reduce tension in the office; the attorney said he would prepare draft documents for the board's review and approval. The attorney also noted that no disciplinary action could be taken against the elected treasurer (Lori) in the same manner as a staff member because the treasurer is an elected official.
At the close of the session the attorney said he would provide proposed language for a written warning and documentation of an offer of temporary administrative leave for the commissioners' final consideration.
