Commission orders staff to analyze costs of making interim HR hire permanent

The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 12 directed staff to analyze costs and options for converting the interim human resources contractor to a permanent, in-house HR position. Commissioners said the interim hire has been on assignment through a staffing firm and that the commission discussed a potential buyout or conversion to a full-time position during a prior working session. Chair Bayless and others said a financial analysis is needed to determine the break-even point versus continuing through the staffing firm. "Maybe the motion should be to research the, the buying out or the placing that individual into a permanent position," staff said; the commission then voted to have staff return with numbers at the September meeting or working session. Why this matters: Converting a contractor to a permanent employee affects personnel costs, benefits expense and future recruiting needs. Commissioners noted the interim arrangement allowed a probationary period to assess fit but said making the position permanent could remove interim uncertainty for the employee and the utility. Next steps: Staff will prepare cost estimates, including buyout costs to end the staffing contract, comparative salary and benefits, and a breakeven analysis, and report those findings to the commission at the next working session and the September action meeting.