FAIRMONT - A union representing some Martin County employees has filed suit against the county board and Engineer Kevin Peyman, claiming unfair labor practices.

According to the complaint filed last week by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Peyman attended two union meetings with employees of the Martin County Highway Department in September. At those meetings, Peyman reportedly offered information on how members can decertify, or get rid of their union.

The lawsuit filed by the union states there is a specific process to be followed in order to decertify a public employee labor union. However, the complaint does not specify if there was encouragement to employees to leave or decertify the union.

According to Martin County Attorney Terry Viesselman, Peyman was invited to attend the meetings by the employees.

"Because (Peyman) is a supervisor, it was believed to be inappropriate, but he attended because he was invited," Viesselman said. "It's not really a case of the employees down here raising the issue, but the union itself."

Martin County commissioners discussed the matter Tuesday. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 2.

The county has requested an attorney from the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust, but because of the time constraints, Viesselman may end up taking the case himself.

"A lot of times, the insurance companies don't cover the unions," Viesselman said.

In addition to the highway department, the union covers county and district court and the Martin County Library employees.

In other business Tuesday, commissioners resolved the final portion of the 2010 budget, authorizing use of about $60,000 in reserves to cover a shortfall.

The board already has passed a zero percent levy hike, and no step wage increases in lieu of covering 100 percent of employees' health insurance increases.

A final public review of the 2010 budget will be 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at the annual Truth-in-Taxation hearing.

In other business, commissioners:

o Approved lowering the interest rate on the 2010 septic system replacement loan program, from 3 and 6 percent to 2 and 4 percent. This is the first change in the interest rate since the county's septic tank replacement program began in 1997.