County admin has a week to request a hearing

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Becker County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to remove County Administrator Pat Oman from his position at the bimonthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Former chairman and commissioner Barry Nelson wasted no time in making a motion for the termination, but that motion was followed by a lengthy discussion. 

Commissioner Dave Meyer seconded, amending the motion per state statute to be effective Tuesday, Feb. 20 with a three-month severance package including salary and benefits. Oman would be suspended with pay immediately and could request a hearing with written reasons for termination no later than Tuesday, Feb. 13. If a hearing is requested, it would be held during the next commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The motion was confirmed as consistent with statute by legal counsel Margaret A. Skelton.

Skelton also confirmed Oman as an at-will attorney and his ability to request a hearing. She also suggested commissioners discuss what the grounds for termination will be if a hearing is requested as they will have to provide those charges before the next meeting.

Prior to the official vote, Commissioner Jim Vareberg unleashed his opinion on the motion and received applause from a large pro-Oman contingent in attendance.

“One of my problems is we never asked this man to improve,” said Vareberg. “I couldn’t ask him to improve because he’s done an excellent job. It concerns me that a business rep from the Teamsters Union and a handful of employees that knocked down doors and got these two commissioners (Meyer, Jepson) elected can ignore all these people out here (gesturing to the audience) and all the phone calls. That is very scary when I think that is who is running this county now.” 

After the applause died down, Vareberg continued.

“I hate to say this, it seems like they only care about themselves and these employees and don’t care about the county because certainly they would have asked for some improvement from him,” Vareberg said.

Vareberg recapped his opinion on Oman’s efforts, accentuating the improvement in employee retention over the past three years.

Oman is in the third year of a three-year contract after being hired at the end of 2021.

“This is a very sad, sad time for Becker County,” said Vareberg. 

The three commissioners in favor of terminating Oman, Nelson, Meyer and Jepson, had no comment when asked by chairman John Okeson, who made a statement of his own.

“It’s kind of disappointing to me that all of Pat’s good accomplishments here, it doesn’t make any difference to a few board members here,” he said. “Mainly, it’s through personal issues that were created probably by the individual. His accomplishments were huge.”

Okeson also brought up comments made in the past, without acknowledging which commissioner said it, about firing Oman.

“It bothers me that over a year ago when I was told by a fellow commissioner that I have my three votes to get rid of him,” said Okeson. “How the heck did that happen if there wasn’t some pre-talk going on here. Look at this meeting, it looks like you’re going to succeed with what was stated to me over a year ago.”

Okeson continued by stating Oman’s termination in continuing the county’s already bad reputation.

“For me, it’s a sad day for Becker County,” Okeson said. “It gives Becker county another big, black mark, which we’ve always had for the last several years firing administrators. It bothers me when I go to joint meetings and talk to fellow commissioners and they say what’s happening in Becker County and they start to laugh; you’ve got quite a mess up there. That is disheartening to me sitting here being on this Becker County board. In my 14 years on this board, this is the worst we’ve ever had.”

Oman was given an opportunity to respond.

“I appreciate the applause; it’s very emotional for me as it could be for you if you were in my position,” he said. “The county is going to do just fine without me. You guys have to get together and work together as citizens. Let your votes decide what you want accomplished at the county. I do believe these commissioners mean well. I do know they do care about the county. They may be faulty in their decisions, that’s your opinion. It might be my opinion, but they do mean well. What I will tell you is the one thing I would leave this county with is this is a county administrator form of government. Commissioner Vareberg actually said something very correct. It’s the county administrator that runs the county. The county board votes on policies and directs the board on its votes. If either of those things don’t happen you get problems and I think you’re seeing some of those.”

Oman listed off a list of accomplishments made during his time that he credited to the team effort with department heads and county employees, many of the changes that had not been made in 40 years, like annual reviews, exit interviews, job description updates, etc.

Oman was respectful when discussing both the accomplishments and shortcomings during his time on the job.

“I’m on new ground, never been terminated before, so this is new to me,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m leaving very pleased with what I’ve accomplished here and I’m not sad at all. This is a democracy and the commissioners have spoken and you need to respect that. I respect that.”

Oman concluded his remarks graciously, even saying positive remarks about the three commissioners who voted to have him removed before thanking the people in the audience. 

Nelson and Vareberg jabbed at each other prior to adjournment, along with Okeson and Meyer, who exchanged words. Oman alluded to looking forward to submitting his remarks to the charges made against him at the December 19 performance evaluation meeting, which sounded like he would be requesting a hearing, but  he did not state so specifically.

Multiple public speakers spoke to the board on behalf of Oman during the Open Forum earlier in the meeting.