By MaryHelen Swanson

An unusually quiet Chisago County board meeting, May 25, turned into a brouhaha once again when near the end of the session Commissioner Rick Olseen brought up an issue about an apparent investigation going on in the county attorney's office.

A $24,000 plus bill had been paid by the commissioners some weeks ago for services to an investigator looking into issues in the county attorney's office.

Olseen said he would have liked a heads-up, as he hates to learn of these issues from citizens. That is how he said he learned of the bill and the reason for it.

In the discussion last week, it was noted that the investigation report was not yet provided to the county, even though the bill was paid.

Olseen asked how this could be.

County Administrator John Moosey said the bill was paid because it was a service and not a product.

With 400 employees serving the public, Moosey said it is not uncommon for somebody to be upset and threatening someone with a law suit.

Olseen continued pursuing the subject saying he had no idea there was even an issue and that he felt like this was a "big deal"
and he didn't know anything about it.

Board chairman Bob Gustafson's response was that if the individual commissioners have questions they should go to the department heads or to Moosey first.

Olseen said he didn't think checking into an issue like this is micromanaging on the part of a commissioner.
Commissioner Lynn Schultz agreed with Olseen that she doesn't like to be "blind sided" on such an important issue. She wondered how long the investigation had been going on.

Commissioner Ben Montzka asked if the other commissioners knew about the investigation and asked who was the focus of the investigation.

Several times when Montzka tried to speak he was gaveled by the chairman. When Montzka made comments about how the board members should try to get along, the decorum of the meeting changed significantly.

Gustafson responded to Montzka's "civility" comment saying it could exist if there were less false accusations against people.

Commissioner Mike Robinson then made a comment about how such accusations have affected him for life.

In the background, a motion was heard to adjourn, the meeting closed and those in the audience were left with gaping mouths.
The Post Review will be following up on the investigation that has been paid for by the county.

In other business, the commissioners:

ï Accepted $1,000 in gambling funds from the Stacy Lions Club to go toward the Chisago County Sheriff's K-9 dogs.

ï Set a public hearing for June 15 at 6:30 p.m. regarding the Sunrise River Pub and Grill application for a new off-sale liquor license.

ï Honored employee Mary Lou Reed on her retirement from the payroll, human services department.

ï Adopted a resolution on a cooperative agreement with the state of Minnesota for Waste Pesticide Management.

ï Learned from administrator Moosey that the extended time for Ecumen to complete the transaction for the Green Acres property is up June 1, and a new agreement will be ready that day to extend the time further.

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