Commission approves hiring part-time temporary deputies

By Anna Jauhola
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners approved, during a special meeting on Tuesday, May 28, to hire part-time, temporary sheriff’s deputies to fill two positions.
Sheriff Mark Wilwant presented a list of 14 deputies from Marshall County who wanted to take extra shifts to help cover the two positions. Deputy Matt Vig is on desk duty due to an injury on his personal time and Deputy Steve Porter is still on leave.
The board approved signing an agreement with Marshall County in an understanding that Kittson County will hire the deputies as employees, which will cover them for liability issues, said County Administrator Eric Christensen. Vice Chair Theresia Gillie and Commissioners Darrell Johnson and Loren Younggren voted on the matter. Board Chair Leon Olson and Commissioner Corey Wikstrom were not present.
The commission hired all 14 sheriff’s deputies. Some may work one shift a month, others may never cover a shift, Christensen said.
“If there’s an open shift, whoever signs up for it from Marshall County, that’s their shift,” Christensen said. “They’ve got shifts out in advance and anything that’s open is first-come, first-served.”
When a Marshall County deputy covers a shift, they will use Vig’s vehicle, which is marked and fully equipped. However, they will wear their Marshall County uniform and carry their own firearms.
Also, the sheriff’s department will be bringing back Porter’s vehicle for Vig’s use while he’s on desk duty. Porter’s vehicle is unmarked and unequipped.
Vig is on desk duty due to his injury for three to four months, Christensen said.
The agreement between the two counties will “remain in force until both parties mutually agree to cancel it,” Christensen said.