Mark Nipp, Governmental Operations Consultant, recommended forming a Civil Service Commission during last week’s overview of the sheriff department. This commission would shift control of personnel from the board, or the sheriff, to the Civil Service Commission. The commission shall have supervision over the employment, promotion, discharge, and suspension of all deputies and employees in the sheriff’s department, except special deputies with no salary. Also the commission shall adopt rules to promote efficiency in the sheriff’s department and adopt rules to provide efficiency in the sheriff’s department.
During Tuesday’s meeting Nipp shared a draft which laid out the rules, regulations, and what a Civil Service Commission would look like. Included were all the different statutes associated with the different parts of the commission.
Nipp said originally the idea of a Civil Service Commission was created in Minnesota in the 1950’s. As time moved on it faded away as unionization made its way. Today, Olmstad County is the only Civil Service Commission operating in Minnesota. Nipp feels this type of service could work really well for Murray County. Initially, he said, the Commission was created to replace a union. However, in Murray County’s situation, the Commission will kind of serve as a buffer between the sheriff’s office and the county commissioners. He explained all authority on personnel issues would be delegated to this commission. Nipp said there presently is some contention as to who has that authority (sheriff or commissioners) and by creating this commission, the authority is abundantly clear.
