Supervisors Approve Updated Maintenance Foreman Job Description, Four-Step Increase

We cover Decorah because we love it. Show your love back — donate today. DECORAH — The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors on Monday unanimously approved an updated job description for the county's maintenance foreman position, part of a broader restructuring plan outlined by County Engineer Michael Kueny during his regular report. Kueny told supervisors that approval of the revised maintenance foreman job description was required before the board could act on a related pay adjustment. The position was reviewed by Condrey & Associates Inc., which recommended keeping the title and Grade 19 classification the same while providing a 5% to 10% grade increase to reflect additional duties. That translated to a two- to four-step increase on the county's pay matrix. Kueny recommended a four-step increase, saying it would maintain appropriate separation within the department's hierarchy and align with structures seen elsewhere. He also told the board that information from the auditor's office indicated the position's wages and benefits were roughly in line with the private sector. Supervisors first approved the revised job description on a unanimous vote. The updated description reflects expanded expectations for the role. Kueny said the position is approximately 90% to 95% field-based, with additional responsibilities including scheduling, managing coverage when staff are on leave and responding to after-hours calls. With only two foremen in the department, he said one is always on call. He also noted that as the county looks at building its own bridges, the position will play an important role in that effort. Following approval of the job description, supervisors considered the related pay increase. An initial motion from Supervisor Mark Vick for a three-step increase failed for lack of a second. Vick defended the motion, calling it a "happy medium." A subsequent motion for a four-step increase was approved on a roll call vote, with Supervisors Shirley Vermace, Mark Faldet and Steve Kelsay voting in favor and board Chair Dan Langreck and Vick opposed. In other personnel matters, Kueny reported that the department is hiring for a mechanic position, which is now open to the public. He said more than 10 applications have been received. However, he told the board that many of the applicants are young and do not yet have a commercial driver's license, and others are not trained mechanics. He said none of the applicants "stand out" at this point. Kueny said one option under consideration is to hold the position open until a selected candidate obtains a CDL or to hire someone on the condition that they secure the license within a set time frame. County Auditor Ben Steines cautioned against the second approach, noting that Kueny has "had to terminate people who lost their CDL." "So hiring someone who doesn't have one might be a little questionable," Steines said, adding that the first approach would likely be the better option. Kueny also reported that a truck driver position has been filled and that a bridge crew position is open internally until 4 p.m. Tuesday. He added that discussions are underway about promoting an assistant foreman related to the filled truck driver role. Stay connected and informed! Join the free newsletter for curated news, trending topics, and insider perspectives you won't find anywhere else.