At the January 11 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard was discussed. The emergency standard applies to employers with over 100 employees. The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to make a decision whether to uphold or strike down the emergency standard which requires COVID vaccination or weekly testing.
Two draft policies were presented to the board: 1) a vaccination requirement or 2) vaccination or weekly testing. Commissioners were not in favor of firing people who are not vaccinated, so the option of requiring vaccination or weekly testing for those employees that are not vaccinated was more favored.
Lindsi Engle, human resources officer, explained going ahead and choosing a policy to follow shows we are making a good faith effort, to avoid being penalized. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained, “It will help to know what direction we will be taking to get the process started; weekly testing is required by February 9. We will have to determine how many are vaccinated and how many will need to be tested. We will need to know these numbers to determine what supplies will be required, the number of staff needed to administer tests, and the number of testing kits to order.”
Hillery warned that if nothing is done to comply the county could be fined about $14,000 per day per incident. Employees who choose not to be vaccinated will need a weekly test and need to wear a mask at all times while at work.
Who should cover the cost of the tests was discussed, as was, who should administer the tests. It was decided the most efficient way to do the tests was for county staff to administer tests and for the county to cover the cost.
The kind of test to administer was also discussed. It was decided an FDA approved rapid test will be most reasonable due the time it takes to get results from a PCR test.
A motion to proceed with the policy presented requiring vaccination or weekly testing, pending court action, was approved unanimously. At the next meeting on January 25 Engle will provide more information on the number needing weekly testing and estimated cost for tests and supplies.
American Rescue PlanAct (ARPA)
Hillery reported that the final rule from the U.S. Treasury Department has been published, which sets guidelines and restrictions for use of ARPA funding. The county received about $4.2 million in ARPA funds and to date has used about $500,000 of those funds. The final rule allows the use of up to $10 million for all types of government services. She explained this could allow much of the funding to be used for the new jail with justifications, if the board decides to use it that way. She said she has already verified this with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. ARPA funds must be obligated by the end of 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026.
Approval was given for a consulting agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. The firm will be consulted as needed in regard to the use of ARPA dollars.
Other business in brief
•The hire of Joshua Lensing, engineer in training, was approved effective January 18.
•Advertisement for a replacement custodian at part-time status was approved as recommended by the Personnel Committee.
•The hire of Sarah Swanson, child protection social worker, was approved effective March 1.
•A proposal from DDA, Human Resources, Inc., (David Drown Associates Company) for ongoing maintenance was approved by a vote of 3-2. Commissioners Bakke and Prestby voted no. Both felt some parts of the proposal were not necessary and too costly. DDA service will cost $10,500 in 2022 for entire market analysis, pay grid calibration and budget implementation (every other year), $150 per job evaluation in 2023, $10,500 in 2024, $150 per job evaluation in 2025, $10,500 in 2026, and $150 per job evaluation in 2027.
•The final payment to Rochester Sand & Gravel in the amount of $89,766.21 was approved for the surface reconditioning of CSAH 15 and 30. The total project cost was $1,632,305.96.
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