Computer position proposal gets further scrutiny

CADILLAC - Wexford County commissioners generally are logging on to the idea of a shared computer expert with Osceola County.

But the bottom line remains the bottom line.

"Is this about break even for what we are spending now?" asked Commissioner Leslie Housler at a human relations committee meeting on Tuesday.

Administrator Mike Sutter said the county remains about $10,000 to $12,000 short of justifying the $45,000 needed by the county to fund the position.

"I'm hoping for some rollover from 2004," Sutter said. "I knew I was not going to come up the full package in cost savings."

Equalization Director Molly Whetstone said the shared person would benefit her office with software changes mandated by the state each year.

"I am so concerned that if we do not move forward with this it will cost us $10,000 this year," she said.

Sutter said the technology person, to be shared on a 60 percent to 40 percent basis with Osceola County would benefit operations at the landfill, clerk's office, treasurer and building department. He said in talking with Osceola County, the plan is to hire an experienced person.

Commissioner Sarah McKeever worried that in the joint employment agreement with Osceola County, if the person does not work out, the county is stuck.

"I don't see anything in the contract that sees a way out," she said.

"It will be a one-year commitment," Sutter said.

He said the person hired would have to be qualified in the eyes of both counties.

"We are hiring mutually," he said. "We are doing this as a partnership."

Accounting Director Pam Dahlstrom said the county shares an IT person now with four counties.

"They all have the same deadlines we do," she said.

Commissioners agreed to send the issue to the finance committee to determine how the position could be funded.

news@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)