Commissioners ponder classifying part-time workers

How to hire and pay part-time employees of various Flathead County districts and boards was discussed Tuesday by the Flathead County commissioners.

 Flathead County Human Resource Director Raeann Campbell said directors of 22 districts or boards have been directly paying part-time employees for various work, such as mowing at cemeteries or bookkeeping or auto maintenance.

Those employees technically have not been classified as county employees and they should be, Campbell said.

The key reason for the change in classification and pay methodology, she said, is to address workers’ compensation.

After Commissioner Pam Holmquist asked if the county would be required to offer health insurance or other benefits, Campbell assured commissioners that the employees all were part-time and would not be eligible for county health insurance coverage.

Commission Chairman Jim Dupont voiced some concern that the positions need to be filled in accord with the county’s regular hiring procedures. He and Holmquist agreed that the proper procedure might be to terminate the part-timers, have them reapply for their positions and go forward in making hiring decisions.

They directed Campbell to gather more specific information and report back.

Campbell also told commissioners that the number of lost work days by county employees increased in 2010. Last year, 356 lost work days were recorded, up from 217 in 2009, due mostly to injuries sustained by three employees.

So far this year, the number of reportable work injuries is 12, the same number as this point a year ago, Campbell said. Those injuries run the gamut from ergonomics to slips and falls.

Commissioners also signed off on a memorandum of understanding with the union that represents Sheriff’s Office employees.

All grievances have been resolved, Campbell said, and both sides have agreed “on how we’ll go forward.”

The two grievances were related to the improper posting of overtime and an instance of someone being disciplined twice for a single offense, Dupont said.

Also Tuesday, commissioners opened bids for six new cars for the Sheriff’s Office.

Two of the bids met the bid criteria; a $144,200 bid from DePratu Ford of Whitefish and a $146,150 bid from Bison Ford of Great Falls. A bid from Eisinger Motors failed to include the required bid bond and therefore “doesn’t qualify,” Dupont said.

Dupont also said that county employees won’t receive salary increases in the next fiscal year. The committee tasked with evaluating salaries decided last week the county budget couldn’t afford raises.

A Whitefish man’s pleas for the commission to intervene in Whitefish city government issues didn’t advance far at Tuesday’s meeting.

R.B. McKenzie tried to convince the commissioners that they should control actions taken by the Whitefish City Council. He wanted commissioners to convene a grand jury to investigate the actions of Whitefish city officials.

Dupont and Deputy County Attorney Tara Fugina told McKenzie that Flathead County doesn’t utilize the grand jury system. And, Fugina said, the county commissioners are not responsible for investigating or prosecuting felony offenses.

Dupont tried to explain that the county doesn’t have oversight of or jurisdiction over any city government.

“Why not?” McKenzie asked. “They’re inside the county boundaries.”

Dupont repeatedly suggested that McKenzie address his concerns to the Whitefish City Council. When McKenzie said that was futile, Dupont suggested that McKenzie talk to the Montana attorney general.

“I would at least expect someone to go look into this,” McKenzie said.

“Everything you’re bringing up to us is in the city of Whitefish and you should address the council there,” Dupont responded. “We’re hearing what you’re saying, we just can’t help you.”

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or by e-mail at sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.