Steve Hofstad is Clay County's first casualty of fiscal cutbacks in Minnesota.
The Clay Soil and Water Conservation employee's $35,000 salary was among the funds axed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in an attempt to balance the 2003 budget.
"The state is in a very challenging time right now," said Hofstad, a water conservation employee since 1998. "Pawlenty has had to make some really tough choices. Do I agree with everything that is being done? No, but I certainly wouldn't want to be in his position."
Pawlenty filled a $356 million budget hole after Legislators failed to find a solution, in part by trimming funds already promised.
Funding for Hofstad's position will run out in June.
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The 34-year-old Moorhead resident isn't too concerned, however, because he had already been granted a year-long leave of absence in July to join his wife, a Concordia College professor, and children on sabbatical in Norway.
While he is not guaranteed a position when he returns, he has been told by his superiors they will work to try and find local money to fund his position.
"I have the faith that this office will do whatever can be done to make sure I have something when I come back," he said. "I'm not too worried."
Kevin Kassenborg, the Clay Soil and Water Conservation District manger, said Pawlenty has promised to reintroduce some of the funding in 2004.
But even if Pawlenty can't follow through, Kassenborg would still like to keep Hofstad.
"Our board is in favor of doing whatever we have to do whether that is by applying for grants or working with other agencies to keep him on when he comes back," Kassenborg said. "He seems to like the work and is good at it. It is a good fit for all of us."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Baird at (701) 241-5535
