Houston County board approves restoring two assistant county attorney positions
January 07, 2024 | Houston County, Minnesota
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The Houston County Board unanimously voted to restore staffing in the county attorney’s office to a county attorney plus two full-time assistant county attorneys, the board said at its first meeting of the year.
County staff presented the request, saying one assistant was laid off during the COVID era and that work returning to in-person courts, plus increased responsibility for contracts and data-practices matters, has left the office short-handed. Carol (staff presenting the item) told the board that unused budgeted salary funds from 2020 and 2021 remain in the county’s fund balance and can help cover the hires.
Board members debated whether to hire one assistant first or restore two positions immediately. Commissioner (unnamed in transcript who moved the motion) argued the office’s workload — including land-use cases and contract drafting — requires two assistants. Another commissioner cautioned that if an elected county attorney later changes, staffing and potential layoffs would need to be addressed during budget planning.
After discussion the board voted to approve hiring two full-time assistant county attorneys. The motion passed by voice vote.
The board also asked staff to forward the requesting attorney’s email and supporting details to commissioners for follow-up. Commissioners noted the need to clarify the precise duties for each assistant and suggested the hires be reflected in upcoming budget reviews.
The decision restores the office to its pre-COVID staffing model and the board said it would monitor workloads and budget impacts at future meetings.
County staff presented the request, saying one assistant was laid off during the COVID era and that work returning to in-person courts, plus increased responsibility for contracts and data-practices matters, has left the office short-handed. Carol (staff presenting the item) told the board that unused budgeted salary funds from 2020 and 2021 remain in the county’s fund balance and can help cover the hires.
Board members debated whether to hire one assistant first or restore two positions immediately. Commissioner (unnamed in transcript who moved the motion) argued the office’s workload — including land-use cases and contract drafting — requires two assistants. Another commissioner cautioned that if an elected county attorney later changes, staffing and potential layoffs would need to be addressed during budget planning.
After discussion the board voted to approve hiring two full-time assistant county attorneys. The motion passed by voice vote.
The board also asked staff to forward the requesting attorney’s email and supporting details to commissioners for follow-up. Commissioners noted the need to clarify the precise duties for each assistant and suggested the hires be reflected in upcoming budget reviews.
The decision restores the office to its pre-COVID staffing model and the board said it would monitor workloads and budget impacts at future meetings.
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