Sherburne County Administrator Steve Taylor will be stepping down June 21, and the county has hired David Drown Associates (DDA) to find his replacement.

 

Tuesday, Gary Weiers of DDA reviewed the search plan with the county board. The commissioners and Weiers went over the job description, the county’s profile, essential duties of an administrator, salary range and timeline.

 

Some of the duties listed included: 

 

* Participates with the county board in the creation of the vision and strategic plan for the county and assists the county board in the development and evaluation of county policies and programs to achieve approved long and short range goals;      

 

* Coordinates all county activities not specifically assigned by statute to county elected officials;

 

* Oversees preparation of and presents the annual budget and capital expenditure program. 

 

* Prepares reports, analysis and recommendations regarding the county's current and future financial position.       

        

* Implements, monitors and enforces the provisions of the approved budget.

 

* Provides supervision and direction to subordinate staff and department heads in developing policy recommendations and programs and in clarifying and delegating county board directives and policies; 

         

* Provides direction to county departments and programs through program review, fiscal control and administrative overview;         

   

* Advises, interprets and enforces administrative policies and procedures to department heads ensuring compliance with county board directives.

 

The proposed salary range for the position is $128,731 to $180,211.

 

Weiers said it was up to the board whether to require candidates to go through a leadership assessment with Martin McAllister Consulting.

 

That process includes an intensive psychological evaluation, written testing and interviews. The process lasts half a day.

 

The county used the McAllister process during the search that found Taylor.

 

“It was well-received by the board last time,” said Weiers. “It seemed to add value to the process.”

 

“I think it is a good idea,” said Commissioner Felix Schmiesing. “It certainly gives us some insight. And it gives you the opportunity to dodge some bullets occasionally. You make a mistake in these positions, it can be very, very expensive.”

 

Commissioner Tim Dolan agreed the $1,100 price per candidate was well worth the cost, rather than choose the wrong candidate and try to go through the process again.  

 

The board agreed to add the McAllister step to the process.

 

Weiers said the search for an administrator is very expansive. The job opening is being posted with the National Association of Counties (NACo), Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), League of Minnesota Cities, Hamline University, St. Cloud State, University of Minnesota and Mankato State.

 

“They send it out to their alumni and current students,” said Weiers. “We also advertise in the municipal  associations is North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. We do  do emails to all city and county managers in Minnesota and use ICAM, the International City and County Management Association. It’s a go-to site for anybody on a national level looking for a position.”

 

Weiers said candidates will have their applications in by May 8. DDA will review and rank applicants based on job-related criteria and select semifinalists. Semifinalists will complete a video interview.

 

The board will select finalists in late May and interview the finalists in mid to late June before making their decision. The tentative dates for final interviews are June 25 and 26.