Staff writer
Marion County employees will have a holly jolly Christmas this year, as commissioners approved Christmas bonuses of $150 for full-time and regular non-seasonal part-time workers at Monday’s meeting.
Chairman Dan Holub said that the Christmas bonuses are what workers would have received from a two percent raise, and that if they didn’t have a good year, the bonuses wouldn’t have been given.
“We didn’t know if the money was there, if we’d have to dip into other wages,” Holub said on Tuesday, “but we didn’t, so we are giving them.”
Commissioner Randy Dallke also motioned during Monday’s meeting for a two percent merit raise to be distributed by supervisors of departments based on performance evaluations.
“If we don’t like this, maybe we can try something different,” Dallke said.
Commissioners went into executive session to discuss two candidates who were interviewed for the interim EMS director. They said they hope to announce their decision Monday.
Consultant Terry David has been serving as temporary interim after former director Brandy McCarty’s resignation became effective Nov. 30.
Weed and transfer station director Bud Druse also asked commissioners for permission to create a full-time position for Brandy Ankenman, a part-time assistant in Druse’s office.
Holub told Druse to prepare an outline of what her duties would be, and show that it fits in Druse’s budget.
“You’re gonna have to make a case as to why you can’t live without her,” Holub said.
In other business:
- Commissioners approved Health Director Diedre Serene’s request to hire Renae Riedy part-time to provide Healthy Start home visits.
- A fuel bid from Cooperative Grain and Supply for $12,704 was approved.
- Gary Dunnegan’s request to build a new dock on Marion County Lake was turned down. Commissioners said Dunnegan could build onto an existing dock.