Board Recognizes Longtime Employees
The Anoka County Board of Commissioners recognized county employees at the meeting who have worked for the county for 30 and 35 years. In total, 29 employees were commended with certificates of appreciation. Their combined years of service total more than 910 years. To watch this presentation, click HERE.
ACTION ITEMS – All the following items were approved unanimously.
Social Worker Positions Added
The board approved four 1.0 full-time-equivalent social worker positions. These positions were added because of a need for more employees to help with MnChoices assessments, which are assessment and support plans that are part of a multiyear effort by the Department of Human Services to transform long-term services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults in Minnesota.
Hunting Permits Issued for County Parks
Due to high deer populations in both Bunker Hills Regional Park and Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, the board issued archery deer hunting permits that will be effective Oct. 25 to Dec. 8. Ariel surveys indicated there were more than 42 deer per square mile in Bunker Hills Regional Park and more than 30 per square mile in Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Keeping deer populations at manageable levels at county parks can help lower car/deer crashes on local roadways. To read more about this action, click HERE.
Vacancy Declared, Special Election Dates Set for District 6 Seat
District 6 Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah tendered her written resignation June 11, creating a vacancy on the board. Sivarajah was appointed Anoka County administrator May 14, and her employment agreement with the county was approved May 28. Sivarajah’s term was set to expire Jan. 4, 2021. Since the time remaining on her term is more than one year, Minnesota state statute requires there be an election held to fill the vacancy. If more than two candidates file for this open seat, a special primary will be held Nov. 5 with a special general election held Feb. 11, 2020. If no more than two file for this seat, the special general election will be held Nov. 5. Candidate filings will be from July 30 to Aug. 13.
Soma Attends Last Meeting
The June 11 meeting was Jerry Soma’s last in his capacity as county administrator. Soma officially retired from Anoka County at the end of the day, just a few days shy of 53 years. Board members and county staff in attendance at the meeting thanked him for his service, and he was presented with a specially crafted sign from the county’s Highway Department, in recognition of his long tenure. To watch this presentation, click HERE.
To watch the full board meeting, click HERE.