Morton County adopts updated personal-use policy for highway and parks shops

The Morton County Commission voted Aug. 26 to adopt an updated County Highway and Parks Shops Personal Use Policy (policy 700-3) that tightens controls, clarifies authorized users and adds a required employee signature. County highway staff said the policy revision updates a 2016 policy and includes process changes such as a signed acknowledgement for employees who may use shop tools, equipment and materials. "Once they're, approved and hired as a permanent employee, this is one of the items when they're onboarded that they'll be required to review, understand and sign it," a highway department representative said during the discussion. The road commission and parks board reviewed and recommended the change, county staff said. The commission adopted the policy by motion and voice vote; the chair announced, "Motion carries." County staff said the signed acknowledgement will be retained in personnel files and used as part of onboarding for permanent employees; annual review was left to existing safety training routines. The updated policy also reiterates that only authorized Morton County employees may use shop facilities and materials and requires staff to maintain safety and cleanliness standards. County staff said they will present the policy to employees at morning briefings and require signatures to document receipt and understanding.