Freeborn County ditch viewers asked the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners for a raise Tuesday, and say the proposed increase is long overdue.

Wednesday, April 04, 2001

Freeborn County ditch viewers asked the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners for a raise Tuesday, and say the proposed increase is long overdue.

&uot;The long and short of it is that Freeborn County is paying us ditch viewers $6 per hour less than neighboring counties are paying,&uot; said Tom Behrends, representing the county’s 12 independently contracted viewers.

Viewers in Mower, Steele, Blue Earth, Faribault and Waseca are all paid $18 per hour, compared to Freeborn County’s viewers, who make $12 per hour, Behrends said.

Freeborn County viewers have repeatedly asked the board for more money, but haven’t received a wage increase since 1998, he said.

&uot;It’s getting embarrassing to have to come up and, in effect, beg for a raise that’s in line with what neighboring counties are getting, but here I am again,&uot; he said.

The county should adopt a graduated pay-scale beginning at $12 an hour and peaking at $18, Behrends said. Viewers also asked for increased mileage compensation.

As independent contractors, viewers do not receive health or retirement benefits, said attorney Mark Anderson, speaking on the viewers’ behalf.

The increase would not affect the county budget because viewers fees are charged to the landowners, Anderson said.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Mullenbach told Behrends the board would consider his request and take action at its next regular meeting.

Ditch viewers’ job is to inspect ditches for blockages that may have been caused by weeds, beaver dams, or other debris.