Pierce, McHenry and Bottineau counties will combine their Social Services.

During a regular meeting Tuesday morning at the Pierce County Courthouse, Pierce County commissioners voted to approve a 2019 Social Service agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, all three counties will share Social Service workers and staff and will share a director and child welfare supervisor. All three counties are also responsible for paying salaries, benefits and travel expenses for their Social Service employees, and billing shared counties for proportionate shares of the expenses.

Bottineau County’s Child Protective Services worker, who will also be responsible for in-home case management, will also be assigned Pierce County cases. McHenry County’s CPS worker will also be shared with Pierce County.

A daycare licensing worker is being sought for all three counties.

The agreement will be in effect until the state accepts a proposed zone agreement between the counties. If a county wishes to terminate the agreement, they must give 60 days notice to the Social Service Board chairs of the other counties in the agreement.

In related motions, the board voted to approve a proposed Northern Prairie Social Service District Plan, and to appoint Kelly Jensen as the interim Social Service Director.

The board also approved purchasing a phone system for Social Services from Verizon.

Other actions

– The board approved abatement application for Scott Monson, Jennifer Knetter and Linda Korner.

– The board approved 30 days personal leave for Dispatcher Yvonne Hagen.

– The board approved Heart of America Correctional & Treatment Center bills and financials; February meeting minutes, bills, financials and treasurer’s checks.