County Board affirms June vote on social worker, delay rec decision
The Langlade County Board of Supervisors affirmed its June decision to enhance a position in the Department of Social Services at a meeting held Tuesday evening.
At its June meeting, supervisors voted to refill a vacant position with the children and family services unit of the Social Services department with an individual holding a master’s degree. That person is trained and qualified to perform additional services board members deemed to be important.
It got another look and discussion Tuesday evening and hiring the individual with the master’s degree, capable of specialized counseling, was again approved by a 17-3 margin.
Before that vote was taken, the issue was well discussed with Social Services experts from the Langlade County Department and North Central Health Care, which offers services here, sharing information.
It is hoped and assumed that the addition of the specially trained individual will allow the county to avoid expensive and difficult placement programs for young people.
The person filling the post will get $36,086 in wages and fringe benefits for the rest of this year. In 2015 the amount will be $51,266 for salary and $34,397 for fringe benefits coming to $85,663.
The other major item on the agenda, hiring a replacement for a vacant recreation specialist post in the Forestry Department, was sent back to committee for further study.
Supervisor William Bostwick made the motion explaining he still had questions about compensation and duties included in the proposal offered at the Tuesday session. Fellow supervisors agreed and it was returned to the committees.
The program that came from the Forestry and Recreation, Personnel and Executive committees suggested that the recreation position be retained because of its importance, but is seeking the structure be changed.
The idea is to combine the recreation duties with a person who could also serve as a forester.
The new position would cost $16,056, more than the recreation coordinator was being paid, with the rate next year at $44,637 for salary and $28,604 for fringe benefits for a total of $73,241. Those figures represent between $19.87 to $23.58 per hour.
Approximately $10,000 per year from the state snowmobile and ATV program would be used to help fund the post.
The issue was sent back to committee on a 12-8 vote.
Supervisors voted 20-0 to contract with Clermont Printing Co. of Antigo for the annual printing contract. The low bid was $5,767.32.
The vote was also 20-0 on a land swap with the city of Antigo. One of the parcels, owned by the county, is 1625 Deleglise St. and the city's land is at 1427 Arctic St., which is near the fairgrounds and highway department complex.
Two zoning petitions were approved in the consent agenda. Those submitting the requests included Gary Waldvogel for lands in the town of Norwood and Norman Kolpack for lands in the town of Polar for a shift from agriculture to forestry.
Angel Zimmerman provided an update on the activities of the Boys and Girls Club of Langlade County during 2013 showing it was a very successful year.
She offered a thank you to supervisors for support of the programs.
Finance Director Gary Olsen presented the 2013 audit explaining that the county is in excellent financial condition.
He noted the gain in the Moody Ratings rank for the county due to its history of diligence and care.
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Gary Bezucha, left, and Toni Simonson of North Central Health and right, Corporation Counsel Robin Stowe at the meeting Tuesday evening.
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