FAIRMONT– The Martin County Commissioners considered two proposals to conduct an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed Lorentz and Sons Construction gravel pit project during its meeting on Tuesday. At its last meeting the board moved to proceed with the EAW after it heard from a number of citizens who proposed a petition for it.

An EAW is a document designed to provide a brief analysis and overview of the potential environmental impacts for a specific project and consists of a standard list of several questions which go over effects on wetland, water quality, air quality, wildlife and more.

On Tuesday the board learned of two proposals from ISG and Bolton and Menk.

County Coordinator Scott Higgins said, “I asked both of them if they would put as an option to host a separate meeting for public information purposes and what EAW means.”

The bottom line price from ISG is $17,000 plus $3,000 for county and agency coordination and the proposal from Bolton and Menk is $23,000, plus another $1,000 for a community meeting.

“The assumption is the county will pay for this at this point. It’s somewhat unheard of that the county would pay for an EAW for a project,” Higgins said.

County Attorney Terry Viesselman said that since the county is hiring a company for the EAW, it will be responsible for the bill, but the question is whether the county charges it back to Lorentz and Sons Construction.

He said the ordinance covers fees for conditional use permits because the applicant pays all of the fees connected with the application, but because the Planning and Zoning Commission has already looked at it and approved the application, the ordinance doesn’t say it can charge back consulting fees that the board requires.

Commissioner Steve Flohrs asked Viesselman if he was okay with hiring either one of the companies. Viesselman said he was but that whoever they pick needs to do a complete EAW because the petition included concerns from many areas.

Commissioner Kathy Smith made a motion to approve the bid from ISG to complete the EAW. Commissioner Richard Koons seconded it and the motion passed.

Moving other other matters, the board heard from Human Resources Director, Leigha Johnson, regarding some personnel matters.

Johnson first said that the county extension committee recommends increasing the vacant 4H support staff position to 35 hours/week including benefits, along with minor revisions to the administrative assistant job description.

Florhs, who is on the extension committee, said that when they previously tried to fill the position, a good candidate wouldn’t take the job because it was part time. He said they thought these changes would increase the probability of getting someone good and hired.

Johnson said they have since received some applications, but none the she would consider interviewing for the position.

Koons, who is also on the committee, said they had interviewed several candidates but the first person they made an offer to turned it down because the job didn’t have benefits.

“I think we’re going to have to do this to get someone in there,” Koons said.

He made a motion to go ahead with the changes and Flohrs seconded it. The motion passed.

The commissioners also approved moving forward with hiring a full time 4H/Extension Educator following the resignation of the current youth educator.

“Continuing on with our hiring woes, we’ve had a handful of applicants for our building maintenance supervisor position that has been open since October. None have met the minimum qualifications,” Johnson said.

She reminded the commissioners that they had updated the job description to include an associate’s degree in a relative field to building maintenance, along with three years of experience. She said they haven’t had anyone apply with an associate’s degree.

“Before you is a consideration to revise the job description and qualifications back to what we previously had,” Johnson said.

Flohrs asked if the applicants have experience. Johnson said they do and Commissioner Elliot Belgard added they just don’t have a degree.

The commissioners approved revising the job description back to what it was before.

“Hopefully that will help us get that one filled,” Belgard said.

Next, the commissioners considered how to move forward following notice that the current county recorder will not be seeking re-election. Belgard said they needed to decide if they wanted to make that an elected position or an appointed position.

Smith said she’s noticed some counties are re-organizing their offices by combining different offices. She said she thinks that might be the way of the future.

“It’s a complex department and I guess my worry with trying to hire is, we can’t even hire a lawyer…” Koons said.

Belgard asked if they would be more likely to get someone to run as an elected official or apply for the position. Flohrs said he could see advantages both ways.

The motion passed 3-2, with commissioners Koons and Forshee voting no, with the intent to consider making the county recorder an appointed position. A public hearing will take place at a later date.

In other news, the board:

— Approved the purchase of a Tandem Axle Truck from Truck Center Companies for $116,284.

— Approved the purchase of 19 OmniBallots, which assist those who are blind or hard of hearing when voting. County Auditor Jessica Korte said they’re required to have to least one in each polling place. The cost is $80,275, but Korte said they are applying for some grants that will hopefully cover a portion of the cost.