Ryan Odden News Today

New county administrator CJ Holl leads meeting to address ongoing issues of defining exempt/nonexempt employees comp time usage.

According to a memo provided by county attorney Kyra Ladd, she identified several issues with personnel policy that do not meet Fair Labor Standards Act rules and regulations.

New county administrator CJ Holl spends his first week on the job getting to know the board of commissioners, staff, and learning more about Wadena county.

The Wadena County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a motion to hire CJ Holl as the new Wadena County administrator.

According to former County Coordinator Ryan Odden, a complaint filed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue included a number of concerns brought forth by residents and the county board.

The county has been working closely with the human resources consulting firm David Drown Associates (DDA) to develop an appealing position profile to attract qualified candidates.

With lingering agenda items leftover from the Sept. 19 meeting the nearly four hour long meeting saw commissioners struggle with the pay grid formula for employees that was approved in 2020.

The agreement details how the funds can be used to combat the opioid crisis including detailed programs and strategies focused on treatment, prevention, and harm reduction.

Friends of Wadena County Youth, a new nonprofit organization, aims to rehab and renovate 4-H building in Wadena County Fairgrounds.

Issues of child care, workforce and housing shortages were highlighted, but local leaders also touted successes such as new housing developments and an active Main Street.