The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved salary increases for all but one of the elected officials.

Sheriff Kurt Freitag’s salary for 2020 will be at the same level as what the board approved it for in 2019 as they await the resolution of Freitag’s salary case in the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

The board in December 2018 approved the sheriff’s salary at $97,020, after which Freitag appealed in district court and won. The district court judge’s ruling in August set the salary at $113,952, but the county then appealed that ruling at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. 

Freeborn County Administrator Tom Jensen said both sides agreed to stay the judge’s order until the Court of Appeals makes a ruling.

First District Commissioner Glen Mathiason and 5th District Commissioner Mike Lee questioned whether it was appropriate to set the sheriff’s salary before the court’s ruling. They said they would wait and see what happens, and then depending on what happens, it could be discussed again.

The board vote was unanimous.

The board approved the following other 2020 salaries for elected officials:

• Freeborn County Recorder Kelly Callahan’s salary will increase to $76,631, up 4.96% from his $73,011 salary in 2019.

• Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer Pat Martinson’s salary will increase to $90,014, up 3.99% from her $86,552 salary in 2019.

• Freeborn County Attorney David Walker’s salary will increase to $118,450, up 5% from his 2019 salary of $112,809.

• The commissioner salaries will be $23,796, an about 1% increase from their 2019 salaries of $23,566.

Second District Commissioner Dan Belshan voted against all of the increases, citing numerous businesses that have closed in the last few years. He said people just received their tax statements and many people’s taxes will be going up large amounts.

Lee also voted against the increase in the commissioner salaries, stating he is worried about the people in the community who are struggling. He said he thinks the commissioners need to watch out for the constituents.

Third District Commissioner Jim Nelson and Lee said they plan to donate their increase.

In other action, the board:

• Approved a three-year contract with Ultimate Software for a human resource information system. The cost is about $80,000 annually.

• Went into closed session regarding allegations or charges brought against ditch inspector Winston Beiser.

The issue is expected to be placed on the agenda for the Dec. 17 meeting.

• Placed highway maintenance worker Dillon Kubiatowicz on regular full-time status.

• Placed Talisha Price, a child protection social worker, on regular full-time status.

• Accepted the resignation of highway engineering tech Randy Kolling, who will be retiring. The board voted to fill the position.

• Voted to fill the vacant sergeant position with the Sheriff’s Office.

• Approved out-of-state travel for Public Health Director Sue Yost to attend a Healthcare Coalition Response Leadership Course in Alabama in March as part of her involvement with the Southeast Minnesota Disaster Health Coalition. The course, plus lodging, meals and travel expenses are free.

• Renewed a contract with Workforce Development Inc. to provide employment and training services and family stabilization services for Freeborn County residents enrolled in MFIP and DWP programs for 2020. The total is not to exceed about $391,800.

• Approved the purchase of a service agreement between Freeborn County Human Services and the South Central Community-Based Initiative. The initiative purchases services from Freeborn County with grant dollars received from the state Department of Human Services. According to background information provided by Human Services Director Suzi Nerison, services that may be provided for reimbursement include case management, community support programs, flexible spending in accordance with the policy and certain administrative costs. The total of services to be purchased will not exceed about $396,000.

• Renewed contracts for transportation services with Jim Dalton and Marge Gibertson for transporting adults and children receiving social services through the county who are not able to transport themselves to appointments, court, visitation and other services.

• Approved a service agreement between Freeborn County Human Services and Brian Vold for psychiatric services for Freeborn County two days per week.

• Approved a service agreement between Senior Resources and Freeborn County Human Services for medical transportation services.

• Set the final board meeting of 2019 for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 31 in the Freeborn Room.