New Ogema Driver’s Services office requested

By Robert Williams

Editor

Teaira Christen was introduced as the county’s new Human Resources Director during the Becker County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

She replaces Carrie Smith, who took over County Administrator duties upon the departure of former Admin Pat Oman. Smith has been performing both roles since Oman left.

Christen is a Detroit Lakes native and a graduate of Frazee-Vergas High School.

She earned an Associates degree in Human Resources Management from M-State, her Bachelor’s in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from Bemidji State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Services from Capella University.

“I’m very excited to be with the county and very excited to work with all of you,” Christen said.

Christen has eight years of experience in the field having worked as an HR Representative at WestRock Company and an HR Business Partner for Marvin, both in Fargo.

DVS

Becker County Auditor-Treasurer Mary E. Hendrickson received a written request from Driver and Vehicle Services in St Paul, for a new office in Ogema.

Three options for the county were stated in the letter:

1. The county auditor, with the approval of the county board, may designate a clerk to be appointed by the commissioner as deputy registrar for the new location.

2. If the county auditor does not accept the appointment, the county board may designate the director of the county license bureau as a deputy registrar to be responsible for the administration of the new office location.

3. The county board may decline to designate a deputy registrar for the new office location.

According to Hendrickson, her office has researched the cost of opening a new location based on the requirements set in place to be a Deputy Registrar Office which includes staffing, rent, utilities, etc.

“As County Auditor-Treasurer, I do not feel it is cost effective for Becker County,” she said in a written statement to the board. “We expect that we may lose revenues if this office is opened.”

In speaking to the board, Hendrickson noted she was unable to find out where the office would be located to estimate potential rental and usage costs. That information would not be disclosed to her office until after a decision to open the office was made.

Furthermore, she stated her office only has five staff members, three full-time and two that are part-time.

“The amount of time and equipment that it would take—it takes six months to get certified,” she said. “I think that is why they’re reaching out to us. If the board declines they will then offer it to the City of Ogema and if they decline I believe they will open it up to the public.”

Commissioner Barry Nelson clarified that this is likely a request that was made of the state to ask the county, not a direct state request. Becker County has the first right of refusal.

“I think we can do a little bit more homework; I say we look into it a little bit more,” said Nelson.

Hendrickson responded that a cost analysis has been done and to support one full-time and one part-time staff it would cost $100,000.

Given that the 60-day time limit for a decision has not expired, the board elected to make a decision at their next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1.