Cloud County approves corrections officer hire, utility hire and wage change

Cloud County commissioners on May 6 approved several personnel actions, including the hiring of a corrections officer and a part-time highway utility worker, and a wage adjustment for an existing employee.

On a motion by Commissioner Michael Cleveland, seconded by Commissioner Ron Copple, the board unanimously approved hiring Chad Shockley as a corrections officer at $17.50 per hour, effective May 1, 2024. The board later approved hiring Reese Reed as a part-time utility worker in the Highway Department at $16.80 per hour, effective May 13, 2024, and approved a wage increase for Devin Pearson from $17.34 to $18.04 per hour effective May 6, 2024. Motions approving the hires and wage change passed unanimously.

The board also recognized the resignations of part-time utility workers David Fisher, Steve LeDuc and Gerald Bray. Multiple short executive sessions were held under the personnel exception to discuss non‑elected personnel; participants named in the session motions included Interim Highway Administrator Rod Michaud, Truck Foreman Richard Kindel, Bridge Foreman Perry Pearce and County Clerk Shella Thoman.

Personnel decisions were handled in open session with standard motions recorded in the minutes; the interim highway administrator opened tire bids and signaled he would return with recommendations on procurement and classifications at the next meeting.