Commission deadlocks on family employment request
By Daniel Arens
When it comes to employment in the county, department heads usually have the authority to pursue employee hires themselves. But there are exceptions.
Notably, there are strict rules in the North Dakota Century Code when it comes to nepotism, which involves someone hiring their own family members or relatives. At the county level, a department head seeking to make such a hire can do so only with the blessing of the county commission.
During a Mercer County Commission teleconference meeting April 1, Candice Strand, Mercer County Regional Landfill superintendent, made such a request to hire her son to fill a position at the landfill. She informed the commissioners she had received three applications for the position, but believed her son was the best option.
Jessica Binder, Mercer County state’s attorney, addressed the relevant chapter of the Century Code which outlines this process, noting that such an action is forbidden without the commission’s blessing.
