by Lori Adler, reporter

The Oneida County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday with several items up for discussion. Among them was a resolution offered by the Labor Relations Employee Services (LRES) Committee which requested reclassification of several county positions.

The need for reclassification was based upon a recent study on county positions performed by Carlson Dettmann which recommended some changes in job class and wage ranges. These recommendations were based upon several criteria regarding the complexities of the positions including education and experience required, decision making and problem solving skills needed and work environment. Eighteen positions were ultimately requested for reclassification.

These positions would also be entitled to a wage increase. Employees in the reclassified positions would be moved to the new grade level and placed in the next highest step that would award an increase. The effect on the 2020 budget would be about an $14,000 increase overall. Consequently, discussion ensued about whether the reclassification should happen now or if the board should wait to allow time to be sure the increase could fit within the new budget.

“I think it would be better if we wait and implement it with the whole budget,” supervisor Billy Fried remarked.

However, other members of the board pointed out that the employees have been patiently waiting for this decision since last spring and that other employees have already been reclassified, such as members of the highway department and social services.

The board then moved to approve the reclassification request, which will be implemented before the end of the month.

New Demolition Landfill Site

A resolution presented by the Forestry, Land and Recreation and Public Works committees requested the withdrawal of 10.04 acres from the County Forest Law program to be used to create a new demolition landfill site. The site would be located just south of Highway K, not far from the current site, with the nearest landowner being approximately 2,000 feet away from the proposed site.

Current trees on the site would need to be harvested, and significant demolition would be needed to prepare the site. Once complete, the site is expected to last the county for 7-10 years. To satisfy DNR requirements, money for the land (approximately $3,000 per acre) would need to be put into the Land Purchase account so that land to replace the withdrawn acreage could be bought.

In addition, a loan to the Solid Waste/Public Works committee for $175,000 to construct the site was granted. The loan will come from the county’s General Fund and will be repaid at an interest rate of 2.38%.

Supervisor Scott Holewinski, a member of the Public Works committee, explained that this had been done in the past, adding, “We paid it all back in a reasonable amount of time.”

The loan process is needed because money for the landfill site cannot come from the tax rolls. The site must be self sufficient. The board approved the resolutions for both the new site and the loan.

Forestry Director Investigation

The Board of Supervisors went into closed session to consider the investigation of the forestry director. No action was taken on this matter; the board discussed the situation and received legal advice.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Oneida County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the county board meeting room at the Oneida County Courthouse.