Commission Board Approves Dispatch Opening, Rejects Sheriff’s Hiring Authority
Travis Bateman
Farmer Staff Writer
The McKenzie County Board of Commissioners approved a request Tuesday allowing the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office to fill an immediate vacancy in its Communications Center but denied a broader request that would have granted automatic authority to fill future vacancies without returning to the board for approval.
The decision came after commissioners spent nearly 15 minutes publicly debating county hiring practices, compensation policy, and the role of Human Resources in determining employee wage placement.
The discussion ultimately centered on concerns raised by commissioners regarding recent Sheriff’s Office personnel decisions that departed from Human Resources recommendations.
Sheriff Matthew Johansen appeared before the commission seeking approval to backfill a vacant Communications Technician position and requesting authority to fill future Communications Technician vacancies as they occur within approved staffing levels and budgeted positions without requiring separate commission approval each time.
Johansen told commissioners the request was intended to streamline hiring and allow the Sheriff’s Office to immediately begin recruiting when vacancies occur rather than waiting for the next commission meeting.
“We’re not asking to create any new positions,” Johansen told commissioners. “Just fulfilling any future vacancies if somebody quits or resigns.”
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!