By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – Law enforcement officials from state and local governments are telling an interim Legislative committee about the issues they’re having with recruitment and retention of personnel.

The interim Government Finance Committee is studying the issue.

Travis Engelhardt is the human resources director with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He told the Committee his agency is getting fewer and fewer applicants for open positions – and some are leaving the Department for similar jobs at the county level, that have better pay.

Engelhardt told the Committee offering one to two percent pay raises for each year of the biennium isn’t enough to keep people.

And Engelhardt suggested allowing performance bonuses.