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Commission discusses possible 1% EMS sales tax, Blue Store plans and converting Christmas bonus to longevity pay
Summary
Commissioner Duane Morris proposed exploring a 1% sales tax to fund EMS, asked about interest in the Blue Store, and suggested converting Christmas bonuses into longevity pay; Commissioner Carla Grund raised taxpayer concerns and said existing employee benefits are substantial. The Commission agreed to revisit these items next week.
Commissioner Duane Morris told the Board he was exploring options to fund emergency medical services, suggesting a possible 1% sales tax as one funding source and asking about plans for the Blue Store, saying he had "spoken with some interested parties." He also presented a study proposing that the county pay employee longevity using money currently earmarked for the Christmas bonus, saying he felt "we did a disservice to the longest working employees" and that "this money was already built into the budget."
County Clerk Tammi Cox reminded the Commission that they had decided the prior week to wait until "the museum has gone to a 501c3" before moving on related matters. Commissioner Carla Grund pushed back on Morris's longevity-pay proposal, saying the county must consider taxpayers and that "there have been substantial graces already given to employees," adding that if employees are complaining the county "need[s] to find new employees." The Commission reached consensus to continue discussion next week; no vote or formal direction was recorded in the transcript.
