Dittrich withdraws application for county emergency manager

Antelope County still is looking for a new emergency manager.

Part-time county road foreman Casey Dittrich had applied for the position, but he withdrew his application during the board of commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the courthouse in Neligh.

County clerk Lisa Payne noted other than Dittrich’s application, which had been discussed at one of the board’s previous meetings in July, she had no new ones to present to the commissioners for consideration.

“We advertised and did not get anymore apparently,” said board chair Charlie Henery. “This will be a paid position for the Antelope County portion of emergency management.”

Antelope County is part of the Region 11 Emergency Management Agency in Norfolk, through an interlocal agreement with Pierce and Madison counties and the city of Norfolk.

“What is the monetary reimbursement?” Commissioner Dean Smith asked. “I haven’t heard anything.”

Henery noted that topic was up for discussion and suggested making it a paid-per-hour position.

He also asked whether Dittrich was still interested in the position. Dittrich indicated he was.

“I think it needs to be per-hour because I don’t think it’s going to require a lot,” Dittrich said. “I don’t think it’s a salary position.”

He would be interested in getting the board’s input regarding training opportunities if he was hired as the county’s emergency manager.

“My idea for this would be that before I did anything, it would be presented to the board – at least in an e-mail, if not in a meeting,” Dittrich said.

He noted he would only want to attend trainings that would benefit himself as an emergency manager and the county.

“I’m not going to be going to any more training than what you guys would like,” Dittrich said. “I’m a little more of a reactive person. If stuff hits the fan, I can jump in and go.”

Smith wanted to get feedback from county sheriff Robert Moore about what certifications the emergency manager’s position requires.

Moore previously had served as the county’s emergency manager, but he resigned in May from the position.

“I visited with Pierce County,” Smith said. “They’ve just got a retired gentleman that is their person that handles that.”

Commissioner Eli Jacob made a motion to approve Dittrich’s application and appoint him as the county’s new emergency manager. Fellow commissioner Carolyn Pedersen seconded the motion.

Smith wanted to discuss an hourly wage for the position before the board approved the motion. Dittrich had the same request.

Pedersen asked Dittrich what kind of hourly wage he was wanting. Dittrich said that was up to the commissioners to decide.

The board discussed the fact Dittrich previously had mentioned an hourly wage of at least $20.

“Can we appoint someone to this?” Smith asked. “An existing county employee?”

Henery pointed out Moore is a county employee who had served as the county’s emergency manager.

“He was doing it for no wages, but he was appointed as the interim emergency manager,” Henery said.

“We need somebody in emergency management right now,” Jacob said.

Henery noted the county is required by Nebraska state law to have an emergency manager.

Smith asked about the process of relieving a person of his or her duties as the county’s emergency manager if he or she was appointed.

Dittrich withdrew his application for the position, which Smith thanked him for doing.

Henery has served as the county’s interim emergency manager since Moore resigned from the position in May.

The board chair indicated he does not want to be the county’s permanent emergency manager, something he said when he assumed the position on an interim basis.

“We had an opportunity to hire somebody right here – not hire, but appoint somebody – to take the position that would be willing to take the training,” Henery said.

He reminded the commissioners of Jacob’s motion to approve Dittrich’s application and appoint him as the county’s new emergency manager.

However, with Dittrich withdrawing his application, Henery was not sure how to proceed. Jacob decided to rescind his motion.

“I guess we’re back to square one,” Pedersen said.