Beltrami County Board: Board to consider Phased Retirement Option for county assessor

BEMIDJI – The Beltrami County Board, during its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, will consider a request from County Assessor Duane Ebbighausen to work 1,044 hours per year (about 20 hours per week) and receive continued benefits under the PERA Phased Retirement Option.
Through the PERA PRO, a program the board approved in 2010, retirees are able to continue part-time employment, receiving a PERA pension without formally resigning. The choice to offer a PRO agreement is at the sole discretion of the employer.
The program can provide mutual benefits to the county and the eligible employee and promotes efficient operations of the county by retaining experienced workforce talent, according to the agenda packet.
Ebbighausen has 37 years of experience with the county. The county would retain his expertise but save the county $44,755 in salary, FICA and PERA expenses.
The board will also consider a resolution to accept two grants for Fiscal Year 2013 from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to support veterans service in Beltrami County.
Work session
During its work meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, the board will:
— Consider a request from the Beltrami County Highway Department to vacate a 0.1-mile section of an unorganized Eland Township road.
— Hold a discussion on a remonumentation project in the townships of Benville, Lammers, Jones, Liberty and Ten Lake.
— Hear an update from the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office on the status of the Lake Irving Pilings Removal Project.
—Discuss an open house for the new county administrator. The board is being asked to host the open house to introduce new County Administrator Kay Mack from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 11, prior to the board’s work session, in the county board room.