New auditor/treasurer is a familiar face

Approving the choice for a new county auditor/treasurer was easy, but what salary to pay brought out some dissension among the Carlton County commissioners.

On May 3, commissioners interviewed finalists for the Carlton County auditor/treasurer and recommended Kevin DeVriendt for the hire. DeVriendt worked for many years as an accountant for Carlton County Health and Human Services before moving into the auditor/treasurer’s office as an accountant the last two years.

At the county board’s regular meeting Tuesday, May 11, chairman Tom Proulx moved to vote on the approval of DeVriendt first and his salary next. The board voted unanimously for DeVriendt to fill the position.

“I do not know why there should be much of a question on salary,” commissioner Dick Brenner said via phone. “About a $36,000 increase for Kevin’s new job duties is at a figure we would have paid an outside person to come in to do that job.”

The auditor/treasurer salary is set by the county board — as are the salaries for sheriff and county attorney. DeVriendt will be hired at a pay grade of 250 for that position and on step 4. His starting date is May 24. As an accountant he has been paid $76,830; with the $36,000 increase, he will be at approximately $113,000.

The salary motion passed 4-1 with Proulx voting against. Commissioner Gary Peterson said the decision was fair and a good compromise.

Other Carlton County news:

• Land commissioner Greg Bernu received approval to start the process of acquiring 40 acres of tax-forfeited land on the road into the Soo Pits property. The land is situated between two small lakes on the old railroad grade now used as an access road for recreational traffic. This Moose Lake property will be exchanged for a parcel of land equivalent in value somewhere else in the county. A public hearing will be called to get public input on June 28.

• The county’s IT staff continues to face more time demands from county departments. The board approved increasing a Help Desk position from 0.6 to full-time.

• The county board is considering approving a county parking ordinance which will receive a public hearing on May 24 at 4:30 p.m. The county highway engineer will have the authority to designate any sections of roadway as no-parking zones.