Betty Schultz
Cook County commissioners were caught off guard when County Administrator Jeff Cadwell announced that he had received the resignation of Cook County Assessor Betty Schultz.
Cadwell said he received a letter from Schultz on May 18. “I expressed my regret and expressed my belief that a lot of [good] work had been done,” he added.
The announcement came near the end of the boards’ six-hour meeting on May 24.
“I’m very, very sorry to hear this,” said Commissioner Ginny Storlie. “I really appreciate all that she has done.”
Commissioner Garry Gamble added, “I would also express my appreciation for the integrity she has brought to a very difficult position.”
“I’m shocked and surprised,” said Commissioner Frank Moe. “There are so many things going on. I’m grateful that Todd [Smith] is on our staff. He’s shown incredible competence, please don’t go anywhere,” Moe said to Assistant Assessor Smith who was sitting in the back of the room.
“Regrettably I make a motion to accept her resignation,” Moe added.
Before a final vote was taken, Board Chair Heidi Doo-Kirk said, “I’m shocked only that this board is shocked. Betty has been treated like crap from this board….
“Betty feels like we don’t have confidence in her. There’s nothing that we can do. We can tell her over and over what a good job she has done but it’s set in her mind that we don’t support her.”
Schultz isn’t going anywhere just yet. Her last day on the job will be June 24. Consultant hired to handle COBRA
After a lengthy discussion commissioners voted 4-1 to purchase the services of A.T. Group at a cost of 1.5 percent of the county’s medical premiums, which will be about $1,575 to $1,920 per month. The contract will be reviewed annually.
Voting yes were commissioners Doo-Kirk, Moe, Storlie and Jan Sivertson. Voting no was Gamble who asked that the vote be tabled until the board could request bids from other providers so the board “is able to make benefit and cost comparisons.
“The county used to broker out the medical insurance coverage through a local provider until it was determined we could handle this in-house, at a cost savings to taxpayers,” said Gamble.
“In checking with our local hospital as well as Lake County who both have similar number of employees, as well as Aitkin County which has 270 employees, they all handle the administration of these benefits in house.
“As well, in talking with Aimee Luick, former deputy auditor for Cook County, she stated she and Janet Simonen handled COBRA requirements for over 30 years without incident; sending COBRA notification letters certified so we would have a record of compliance.
“We have since replaced Aimee’s position, and hired a human resource generalist in addition to the recently created county administrator position,” said Gamble.
“In addition,” said Gamble, “The board of commissioners approved the recent $30,000 purchase of the KRONOS workforce management software to optimize our workforce and minimize risk. In speaking with a KRONOS representative, he indicated they release their new product upgrades in October and would certainly look at incorporating COBRA requirements into a future update. You would think we would have the personnel in position to oversee these responsibilities.
“In my opinion, it is healthy to evaluate benefit packages on a regular basis as a matter of stewardship of taxpayer dollars. However, such an evaluation must be conducted on a competitive basis,” asserted Gamble.
Cadwell said the county might currently be out of compliance with some COBRA requirements, and he felt the county shouldn’t wait to re-bid for the services. Bill Singer, A.T. Group benefits consultant, was in attendance and he said that because of the new requirements under the Affordable Care Act, the requirements for COBRA and other benefits were getting much tougher for counties to keep up with.
The board agreed and A.T. Group will start work to clean up the county’s potential liabilities with its paperwork and reports.
A.T. Group will also assist the county in putting policies and procedures in place to insure efficient administration of employee benefits, including health, life, dental and disability insurance as well as the Flex plan, HSA accounts and COBRA administration.
Steps taken toward sale of Gunflint Lodge
With Bruce Kerfoot, owner of Gunflint Lodge, sitting in the back of the room representing a buyer who couldn’t attend the meeting, the rumors about the sale of the iconic Gunflint Lodge appeared to be true.
The board approved a revolving loan fund request for $230,300 to John and Mindeette Fredrikson, MJ Gunflint Properties, LLC to be used to help with the purchase of Gunflint Lodge and Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters.
The loan is not to exceed 10 years at an interest rate of 4.5 percent, and is subject to bank and Small Business Administration loan closings and completion of equity financing with collateral consisting of a third position mortgage on all business property and the signing of the loan agreement and promissory note with Cook County.
Kerfoot, who sits on the revolving loan committee, didn’t vote with the seven members of the committee who reviewed documents and interviewed the prospective owners before voting unanimously to recommend the loan approval.
Commissioner Doo- Kirk abstained from voting because she is an employee of Gunflint Lodge. The board passed the request 3-1 with Moe voting against.
When asked what he would be doing once the sale is completed, Kerfoot answered, “I’m not going anywhere. My wife and I have a house on Tucker Lake and there’s plenty of trouble for me to get into.”
In other business
. The board approved a motion to expand Cook County’s Aquatic Invasive Species coordinator Amanda Weberg’s duties to hiring and supervising watercraft inspectors. Weberg will be paid up to $20,000 more for her new responsibilities.
. County Attorney Molly Hicken requested and received permission to close the meeting during the discussion about the county’s ongoing dispute with K. Johnson, the firm that poured the failing cement for the Cook County Community Center hockey rink.
Cost to repair the cement is estimated at $70,000 and K. Johnson has balked at coming back to fix it at their expense.
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