K-9 unit makes a return

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department will be adding a four-legged officer.

Tuesday the county board approved Sheriff Todd Dahl's request to re-establish the county's K-9 unit. The county retired its two police dogs about a year ago and the K-9 unit was put on hold, in part because of the economy. The highly trained police dog has a price tag of about $8,500. Dahl said the dog's cost and upkeep will be assisted by donated funds and from the department's future budget. Dahl said it won't affect the levy for 2009-2010.

Dahl is looking at a dual-purpose dog, one that is able to work with a human partner on the street and search for narcotics. Dahl said it was a passion of his to see the program go forward and the K-9 unit adds a lot to the sheriff's office. The county doesn't expect to have the police dog on the street until spring or summer of 2010. Dahl said the dogs, which have continual training and a physically demanding job, have a service length of eight to 10 years.

In other business, the board:

Heard an update on the county's anticipated path to the Minnesota Supreme Court for a decision on who will pay for parent representation in child protection and termination of parental rights cases.

In 2008, the State Board of Public Defense, facing a $3.8 million budget deficit for 2009, eliminated representation in what it termed as "non-mandated services." That meant the public defenders stopped representing parents in child protection cases. In response, the Crow Wing County Board, looking at its own budget crunch, voted it would not picking up the cost of those services.

Tuesday Attorney Don Ryan said he filed a petition to go directly to the supreme court and by-pass the court of appeals. A decision is doubtful before the year's end. The board approved renewing three $50,000 contracts individual attorneys or law firms for parental representation in 2010 as it did for 2009 and may adjust that when a decision is rendered.

Set a public hearing at 9:05 a.m. Nov. 10 to consider adoption of a dog ordinance in Unorganized Territory. The county previously had a countywide dog ordinance but voted to repeal it effective Dec. 31.

Approved exceptions to the hiring freeze. Approval was granted to hire two highway maintenance workers to replace two workers, one who resigned and one who retired, for a projected cost of $115,000 in salary and benefits. A public health nurse replacement hire was approved at a projected cost of $24 to $30 per hour. Two technical/administrative specialists were approved for the Community Services Department as replacement hires at a projected cost of $14.30 per hour.

Tami Laska, human resources director, said the replacement hires do not change the county's overall 10 percent staff reduction for 2010 with the county work force dropping from about 450 to 400 employees.

"It's important to balance the departures with the hires," Laska said. "We have a net reduction of 10 percent that's 50 people."

Administrator Tim Houle said the positions aren't being filled lightly and just natural attrition will mean the county will likely bring on 20 people per year.

Commissioner Paul Thiede said headlines such as in the Dispatch's Vox Pop puts it in the public mind the county is hiring people and the fact that the county staff is still reduced by 10 percent is a tough sell.

"Perception is the reality in politics." Thiede said.

Commissioner Rachel Reabe Nystrom said the staff is already lean and when there is money budgeted to replace people who retire or quit, the county should go forward with it.

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.