Brown County Highway Department website 

Last Updated May 5, 2024.

This post shared at Brown County Matters

Summary:  Selection of a New Superintendant and Assistant Superintendent.

• • The commissioners vote at the beginning of every year to retain the superintendent.  The commissioners have always been highly complementary of the services received. 
  • At Jan 16, 2024, Council Meeting, Mike Magnor’s request to provide funding for an assistant supervisor/superintendent position was not approved by the council (see below).  
  • In February, two of the commissioners (Pittman, Wolpert) decided to recruit a new superintendent and assistant superintendent.  This came as a surprise to both Commissioner Sanders and the Superintendent.  There was not an official “Executive Session Meeting” held to discuss the rationale for the decision.
    • The two positions were posted on the county website on February 9, 2024—see below. The assistant superintendent position was filled. The person selected (Arec Burton) was then selected as the new superintendent at the May 1 commissioner meeting.
  • The former superintendent (Mike Magnor) served in the position for over 9 years and will be vested in the state retirement system with 10 years of service. His resignation became effective on May 3, 2024. He stated that he expected to support the transition through November.  

May 5, 2024. Request for Information. I have submitted a follow-up request to confirm the funding decision made at the Jan 16, 2024 Council meeting (see below) and to clarify a couple of issues.  If the council did not approve funding, they may need to vote to approve a transfer of funds. The request is submitted by the Auditor.

May 1, 2024.   Agenda Commissioner Meeting 
(Agenda Posted at Brown County Matters)

• • Highway Retirement Announcement
  • Highway Appointment for 2024  

Commissioner Meeting Notes, May 1, 2024. 

• • The current highway superintendent (Mike Magnor) announced that he will be retiring but will be available through November to support the transition to the new superintendent. The effective date is May 3, 2024.  

  • The newly selected assistant supervisor (Arec Burton) was selected as the new superintendent. The vote by the commissioners was  2 to 1. Ron Sanders voted No and reinforced his commitment for ensuring the new superintendent’s success.  

Personnel Policy.  The policy regarding the personnel management of the highway department was changed to exclude the highway superintendent from the recruitment and selection process.  This caused some skepticism and confusion within the department as to why the superintendent was not involved in selecting a key position.

Morale and Turnover. A lack of transparency in personnel management can affect the morale of all county employees, who may conclude that a process is biased and unfair and jobs are preselected. This can lead to job insecurity, which can then contribute to turnover.

• • Management – Commissioners Office Re-Org. The changes regarding the re-org in the commissioner’s office for example, led to an employee being informed her job was being defunded at a public meeting.  County employees in public meetings, expressed their criticism of the changes that included allegations of pre-selection.
     

• Feb 9, 2024. Brown County Matters:  Highway Department – New Positions Posted.

• • Interesting. Was not aware the county is looking for a new highway supervisor — “Incumbent serves as Superintendent for the Brown County Highway Department …: and the council at the last meeting did not vote to fund a “new” Assistant Supervisor position.

Jan 16, 2024. County Council Meeting Notes 

I clarified some points after listening to the audio: 

• • Audio – Discussion on Highway Position Funding begins at 1:40:30
  • Highway Superintendant.  Money removed from the highway budget was replaced.
    • Discussion on funding for unfilled positions … including a supervisory position ….
      • (The commissioners had discussed adding a new position ..- an assistant supervisor but the position exists – just not filled. 
  • 1:46 37 Magnor- Request to fund 6 positions(4 are existing employees)
    • Kemp suggested open positions remain unfunded ..(Fund existing – leave other 2 open and unfunded.) …. Rudd – I thought we did that last time ….
    • Judy Powedrill Swift – in salary ordinance but has to be appropriated
    • Byrd – questions Kemp’s concerns – Kemp references to organization development issues, and need for business planning.
  • Mike Magnor identified additional staffing is needed. Not all 19 positions filled – more efficient without … voluntarily not filled ….
  • Redding – asking for clarification on funding sources …  3 
  • 1:53:99 Rudd –  approve funding for 3 existing and one new hire (mechanic)  ..    Redding asking for clarification ….  (unspent money stays in the county). Kemp wants money to accumulate …
  • Motion and Second …