county commission

 Cari Drees 

Employee vacancies in high need areas are once again at the forefront of conversations and requests at the Clay County Commission meeting. A key concern for these vacancies is a salary grid that is “not following the market at all, unfortunately…” according to Commissioner Kevin Campbell. The scarcity of candidates for a CDL driver in the waste management open position, the first position to come up for the weekly requests, will be compounded when the new facility is open and requiring more drivers than are currently on staff. In addition to this vacancy there are three full time vacancies for Correctional Officers.

Sheriff Mark Empting also came forth with a request to appoint a New Chief Deputy Sheriff with Salary Grid Replacement. This ties in to the above request in that they are asking for a higher starting salary to attract more candidates. During this discussion Commissioner Mongeau wanted the public to know that the Sheriff has the ability to appoint whoever they’d like to that Chief Deputy position. It’s the components in terms of the grid that they are coming to ask for approval.

While the complicated process of filling open positions due to a scarcity in those qualified, and the requests to adjust pay in order to  hire the best possible candidates, it was a welcome change as Rita Rueckert, Kristin Wegenast and LaRue Goeden shared the goals and activities for the 2022 United Way Campaign Drive.  Rueckert noted that over the lifetime of Clay County United Way campaigns over $300,000 has been raised to support those in our community. This year there are multiple events throughout the month of October in the various government buildings including bake sales, baked potato events and a chili feed as well as guessing jars and a book and media sale.

Lastly, it’s the time of year when are law enforcement is participating in the Golden Drive Homeless Kids Sock drive. They are having a competition to see who can collect the most donations of socks to be sent out to the area shelters and schools. Socks are always high on the priority list of needed items for those experiencing homelessness. The competition will last from October 1st to November 4th, 2022.

Donation Locations include:

The Law Enforcement Center (Box is located under the Sheriff’s Badge)

911 11th St. N, Moorhead, MN 56560.

The Clay County Correctional Facility:

800 9th St N. Moorhead, MN 56560 (Door 1: Public Lobby)

Donation Times are 8:00am to 4:30pm while the lobbies are open.