The county board decided to begin re-hiring for vacantpositions Tuesday, allowing departments to fill two jailers, zoning administrator and part-time transport officer for the sheriff’s office. The board will still have to deal with vacancies at the Public Health Department and sheriff’s office and new hiring for the expanded jail.

The positions were budgeted for this year, but the county kept them vacant because of anticipated reductions in state aid.

While the Legislature is shaping the state aid cut in St. Paul, department heads rushed to the board to get a commissioners’ approval for staffing.

Jail Administrator Steve Westland said the two vacant positions needed to be filled to comply with the Department of Correction’s requirement for inmate-staff ratio. Recovering to the full staff is also crucial because three jailers will go to Colorado for training later this year to get ready before the new jail, which will be fully operational by July next year, according to Westland.

Sheriff Mark Harig reiterated that inmate transfers have been on the rise because of current limited jail capacity, and transportation officers would save the overtime cost for other deputies.

Employing a zoning administrator was approved to cope with a flood of permit applications. The county sought to merge the position with the City of Albert Lea, but found it impossible, County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen said.

The board deferred the decision for a detective position at the sheriff’s office and 10 unfilled positions and agreed to have a workshop meeting on Friday to discuss further hirings. New hiring for the expanded jail and a proposal by Harig to have a K-9 unit will be also considered.

Other board action:

-Adopted a resolution to oppose legislation proposed in the House that allows voters to initiate a reverse referendum for a tax levy increase. Commissioner Dan Belshan opposed the resolution, citing it would “take power away from taxpayers.”

-Replaced Commissioner Dan Belshan with Public Heath Director Lois Ahern as the county’s representative for the Freeborn County Family Services Collaborative. Belshan has been arguing that the $60,000 administrative cost for the organization is too high. A letter from Collaborative Chair Bob Graham accused Belshan of not being supportive and making the meetings unproductive. Belshan contended the Collaborative budget is using tax money and the county should send an elected official.

-Authorized commercial dog kennels at Bancroft and Moscow townships. Each facility will accommodate up to 20 dogs.

-Authorized Ron and Evelyn Neubauer to install one 39 kw wind turbine tower in Carlston Township, and Linda Beiser four 39 kw wind turbine towers in Pickerel Lake Township.

-Appointed Highway Department Director Sue Miller to County Engineer position.