Board delays hiring decision for Lasal County nursing home administrator after committee split

The Lasal County Board paused a contentious hiring decision on March 9 after protracted debate over committee recommendations, salary wording and process for appointing a nursing home administrator.

The resolution would hire Carrie Becker as an at‑will, FLSA‑exempt county employee and set compensation at $140,000 for the period described in the draft. Members raised procedural objections because the Committee on Appointments, Legislation and Rules had not recommended the hire while the Nursing Home Committee had. Board counsel and several members argued committee recommendations should be acknowledged in the resolution language.

Multiple amendments were proposed on the floor: one intended to clarify that the Nursing Home Committee recommended approval and the Appointments Committee did not; another sought to change the compensation wording so the $140,000 read as an annual salary rather than the interval originally printed. The amendment to make the $140,000 an annual figure passed; an earlier motion to amend other verbiage failed. After extended floor debate about committee prerogatives and proper procedure, a motion to table the resolution until the April 9 board meeting carried by roll call.

During the discussion, a board member noted the county’s interim nursing home administrator submitted notice and will depart March 29, requiring the county to consider short‑term coverage. The board discussed the pay rate for interim coverage (one board member said current interim pay was $85/hour plus expenses) and the possibility of using another interim if the appointment is delayed.

What happens next: the appointment vote was tabled to the April 9 meeting; in the meantime the interim administrator’s departure may require the county to secure additional interim staffing.