Carter County approves payroll and claims, expands senior-transport dispatch hours and hires road worker

Carter County Commissioners approved payroll and claims and took two personnel and program actions during their meeting.

The commission approved the payroll total of $285,006.27 and claims totaling $199,523.42 and accepted related reconciliation paperwork. The action was recorded as completed during the meeting.

Commissioners voted unanimously to increase senior transportation dispatch hours from 10 to 15 hours per month. The board amended the motion to set a March 25 start date to align with the next pay period; commissioners said the change may be applied retroactively to the current pay period. Staff reported the dispatcher handles frequent calls and scheduling and that the service logged roughly 52 rides per month across 24 riders in recent months.

The commission also voted to offer a full-time Road and Bridge position to Nolan Dvorak. The board included a March 25 start date in the offer, recognized the hire as a full-time employee assigned to the county shop or dispatched as needed, and placed the hire on a one-year probation period. Commissioners instructed staff to hold rejection letters for other applicants until Dvorak confirms acceptance and to send the offer letter once acceptance is received.

Votes at a glance
- Payroll and claims: Payroll $285,006.27; Claims $199,523.42. Outcome: approved (recorded by the commission during the meeting).
- Senior transportation dispatch: Increase from 10 to 15 hours per month; amended to start March 25. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Road and Bridge hire: Offer full-time position to Nolan Dvorak with March 25 start and one-year probation. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

Commissioners said the administrative approvals and personnel decisions were intended to keep county services running while staff work on longer-term staffing and capital plans.