Freeborn County commissioners on Tuesday approved an employment agreement for the new director of the Freeborn County Department of Human Services.

Suzanne Nerison will begin in the role Sept. 9 and will receive about $92,000 a year, said Administrator Thomas Jensen.

Nerison started her career in Big Stone County in the Human Services Department first as an eligibility worker before being promoted to a supervisor, where she remained until 2011.

From there, she went to Rice County, where she worked in child protection and has been a supervisor.

Jensen said two rounds of interviews were conducted for the position. The second round included an interview with Jensen, Human Resources Director Candace Pesch, two employees from the Human Services department and 1st District Commissioner Glen Mathiason.

“She seemed like a very good candidate for this position,” Mathiason said.

Nerison replaces Brian Buhmann, who stepped down from the position after being offered a job as Wabasha County administrator. Charity Floen served in the position in the interim.

During the meeting, the commissioners also approved a contract with Cody Fox for ditch inspector services from Aug. 1 to July 30, 2020.

In other action, the board:

• Extended the tax abatement program for new homes built in Freeborn County through December 2021.

Jensen said this has equated to about $22,000 a year for the county.

• Approved a resolution declaring a local state of emergency tied to the July 20 storm.

Jensen said this allows for state funding if certain criteria is met, particularly for public utilities.

• Authorized the Department of Human Services director to sign a participation agreement between Freeborn County and TALX Corp.

• Accepted the resignation of maintenance worker Bruce Moore and voted to refill the position.

• Accepted the resolution of Stacy Heusinkveld as a child protection social worker and voted to refill the position.

• Approved repairs to the drainage system.

• Scheduled a workshop for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 13 in the Freeborn Room at the government center.

• Heard a presentation from Jennifer Nelson, vice president with external relations at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, about the initiative’s efforts and how they impact Freeborn County.

• Heard a presentation from Doug Host of CLA about the county’s 2018 audit.