By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Ellis County residents have seen a recent increase in wait times at the treasurer’s office, which County Treasurer Ann Pfeifer attributed to lack of staff.
Pfeifer told the Ellis County Commission on Monday night her office has had a number of complaints about wait times in the last two months, with at least one instance of a person waiting for almost 90 minutes for service.
At the end of last year, two people retired from the treasurer’s office, and Pfeifer said Monday after waiting the three months they were instructed to, in an effort to save money, the department has hired two new employees.
They will begin work March 1.
At a budget meeting earlier this month, the county commission called on department heads to hold off on filling open positions so the county can work through the budget process.
During the Feb. 2 meeting, Commissioner Barb Wasinger instructed all departments to provide the commission with a list of open positions and the county would then determine what positions can be filled.
Monday night Wasinger expressed frustration with the treasurer’s decision to bring on two new employees.
“This isn’t to punish the public — this is to figure out what to do with our finances,” Wasinger said. “I think this is the wrong time to be doing it. You shouldn’t be doing it. We asked you not to.”
Wasinger added she feels for people who have to stand in line, but asked the public to have patience as the county attempts to cut nearly $2 million from its 2016 budget.
Last year, the commission had discussed the possibility of a county hiring freeze, but then-Commissioner Swede Holmgren rallied against the idea and no action was taken.
Wasinger said while the county did not vote to enact the hiring freeze, she saw it as a cautionary symbol for department heads.
In other business:
• The commission voted 2-1 to hire Kaw Valley Engineering to inspect the courthouse and Law Enforcement Center Project for $29,066.
Commissioner Dean Haselhorst voted against the measure because the inspection was not included in the bid, although a spokeswoman for Treanor said the inspection fee was included in the project estimate.
The commission asked for a Treanor representative to come before the commission in a future meeting.
• The commission also approved a $7,486 change order at the courthouse/LEC to create a permanent power connection between the county’s server room, located in the basement of the LEC, and the courthouse.
Last week, the contractor inadvertently tore up the previously installed lines because contractors did not realize they were there.