First came Jennel Hines.

Thursday, June 08, 2000

First came Jennel Hines. Then came Kelly Mehus. After that, it was Sandy Anderson, Cynthia Thomas and David Pearson. Now, it’s Ruth Paulson’s turn to bask in the spotlight.

Paulson was named Mower County employee of the month.

Mower County’s payroll and benefits coordinator was honored by the Mower County Board of Commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting.

Ray Tucker, Second District, presented the award. The chairman of the county board called Paulson a "long-time, dedicated employee," whose "superior performance and diligence at working with others" earned her the honor.

But, the praise for Paulson didn’t end there.

Craig Oscarson, county coordinator, spoke for the Mower County courthouse staff. "Ruth Paulson works tirelessly. She is the first at work and the last to leave."

According to Oscarson, the county’s payroll has "never been late to my knowledge," because of Paulson.

The county coordinator described the Employee of the Month honoree as "very accommodating" and one to whom there is no "unreasonable request."

Paulson is the sixth county employee to receive the honor, which began in January when Hines received the award and continued with Mehus, Anderson, Thomas and Pearson being honored.

In other action Tuesday, the county commissioners:

n Heard solid waste committee chairman Tucker announce 13 recycling center buildings used in outlying communities will be auctioned this summer by Hamilton Auction Service. The 12-by-12-foot buildings were replaced by roll-off containers, where residents of outlying communities take their recyclables for collection.

n Approved Mower County Engineer Michael Hanson’s recommendation to approve final payment to Minnowa Construction Company for a bridge replacement project in Lodi Township. The $37,000 final figure on the project was less than the engineer’s estimated project cost.

n Approved another recommendation from the county engineer to seek bids for a new end-dump trailer, the county’s first-ever. The bids will be opened July 2. Hanson estimated the equipment will cost $35,000. Beginning August 1, a new state law goes into effect, which allows counties to purchase items for less than $50,000 or double the current $25,000 limit, according to Hanson.

n Approved another recommendation from the county engineer to seek $20,000 in reimbursement from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Trails Maintenance Program for Mower County’s 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The DNR has offered the program since 1973 and Mower County has been a long-time participant. Last year, the county was awarded $13,000 in trail funds.

n Approved a budget amendment to allow the purchase of two cell phones for use by all Mower County departments through a check-out program administered by central services.