Freeborn County ditch viewers got a bump in pay, but still make considerably less than six surrounding counties.

Wednesday, April 18, 2001

Freeborn County ditch viewers got a bump in pay, but still make considerably less than six surrounding counties. That could affect the future availability of viewers in the county, some said.

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to raise ditch viewers’ hourly wage from $12 to $14 per hour. Commissioner Dan Springborg dissented, and Commissioner Mark Behrends abstained from discussion and voting.

The viewers had requested a raise to $18, to remain competitive with surrounding counties, but some commissioners said a $6 raise was too much. Commissioner Dan Belshan moved to implement the $2-per-hour raise.

Commissioner Glen Mathiason said many of his constituents were unhappy raising the ditch viewers’ salary to $18 per hour.

&uot;I would hope our viewers won’t leave, and some of the people might change their mind when they find out what the job involves, but it’s still a big jump,&uot; Mathiason said. .

Viewer Tom Behrends said the requested increase was sizable because the viewers’ pay hasn’t kept pace with neighboring counties. They have gotten one raise since 1989, from $10 to $12, he said. This is his fourth time addressing the board on the issue.

&uot;It just doesn’t seem right that Freeborn County doesn’t get in line with what other counties are paying,&uot; he said.

Springborg agreed. He suggested the board pay the viewers $18 per hour, possibly spreading the increase out over two years.

&uot;I’d like to see them get paid the same as everyone else that does that kind of work,&uot; he said. &uot;It is a huge bump, but I’m for the equal pay.&uot;

Other staff recommended the viewers get the full increase as well.

Interim County Administrator Darryl Meyer and Auditor-Treasurer Dennis Distad recommended the board adopt the graduated pay plan requested by the viewers. Under the plan, viewers would be paid between $12 and $18, based on experience.

&uot;The ditch viewers have not kept pace with adjoining counties for a number of years,&uot; Distad said. &uot;They are not asking for more than other counties, in fact what they are asking for is less than most.&uot;

&uot;It is a large step, but in my mind it is not excessive,&uot; he said.

If the viewers don’t want to take $14, the county will have to find others to work on its projects, including 24 that are currently underway, Distad said. There are only about 50 ditch viewers in Minnesota, 10 of whom contract with Freeborn County. If no viewers were available, the county could have to contract with a private group for $45 an hour, he said.