With the resignation of Burleigh County Human Resources Director Terry Czonek, there may be a revived interest in combining offices in Burleigh and Morton.

Morton auditor Paul Trauger has put out an advertisement calling for outside firms to submit proposals to provide Morton with human resources, risk management and payroll services.

Morton's human resources director resigned at the end of 2006, leaving county commissioners struggling over how to fill the position. Earlier this month, the commissioners decided to try outsourcing, leading to the request for proposals advertisement.

It's difficult to find the right person to fill the human resources director position, Trauger said.

"The problem is to find a good one who is sensible. Someone like that you have to pay good money," Trauger said. "I'd like to see us outsource it for a year and see how the employees like it."

Currently, the Morton County human resources department consists of two full-time-equivalent positions, the open director position and a secretary. Burleigh has two and a half full-time-equivalent positions, the director, an assistant and a half-time payroll position. Morton County's payroll is handled in the auditor's office.

After a year and a half as Burleigh's HR director, Czonek says he has decided to take a position in Bismarck's private sector; his final day with the county is Feb. 23. Up until Jan. 1, Debbie Kroshus was the assistant, but she won November's recorder's election and is now filling that position, and a new assistant has been hired who is just learning the job.

Among the services the Burleigh HRoffice offers are payroll, benefits, employee recruitment, risk management, county salary budgeting and taking employee grievances and complaints.

While Czonek has put out an advertisement for the Burleigh HR director position, he says it might be a good time for Burleigh and Morton to explore a combined department.

"I know they've tried it before and it didn't work," Czonek said. "It's a difficult role for a person. Could it be done? Sure. But they have to ask - why didn't it work before and what's changed?"

Outsourcing human resources to private firms is another possibility, one that Morton seems to favor. Czonek isn't quite sure whether it would work for Burleigh.

Burleigh County Commissioner Marlan Haakenson met with Morton County commissioners this week and discussed possibilities.

Among the topics was outsourcing both of the counties human resources needs as a single package and also combining services into one department for both counties.

"I would be interested in seeing the counties having a conversation about joint human resources privatization," Haakenson said. "It's just an idea, and I haven't run it past our commissioners yet. But the counties should have a thorough conversation and look at all possibilities."

Burleigh County has about 270 employees, and Morton approximately 165.

Haakenson said he believes that the counties need to find the best deal for their money, something that will ultimately save taxpayer money.

He said a private firm may have some advantages when dealing with employees since it is removed from the work place.

"Human resources is a difficult job, and I've always made the statement that a HR director doesn't just represent the employees but represents the taxpayers," Haakenson said.

Morton County Commission chairman Mark Bitz finds the developing situation regarding human resources for both counties interesting. The commission is accepting proposals until March 2 from private firms and will be listening to presentations. Then the commission will have to decide what course to follow.

"I don't know if we would want a combined department with Burleigh, after all, that didn't work in the past," Bitz said. "But the fact is, if we're dealing with over 400 employees, we might see a lot more interest from outside firms. I think Burleigh might be interested in outsourcing, also."

Haakenson said Burleigh will have to move fairly quickly on deciding how to fill the position being left vacant by Czonek.

"We might have to lean on Debbie Kroshus a little bit, and I've talked to her and she's indicated a willingness to help us out," Haakenson said. "We really need to find out what Morton's thoughts are and move forward on having a joint office. I think we can work together."

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)