County hires interim administrator

After an unsuccessful first round of interviews, Steele County commissioners will hire an interim county administrator to bridge the gap left when Scott Golberg retires this month.

The person they’ve chosen is a familiar face; Jan Fransen filled in when former administrator Laura Elvebak resigned in 2017.

Golberg, who announced late last year that he will retire on April 12, recommended the move. While the board has options, he said, “I think with our current situation, probably the best option for you might be to bring Jan back.”

Commissioners hired DDA Human Resources to manage the search, which began in January. They interviewed the first round of applicants last month. As they continue to look, Fransen will work three days a week, starting April 16, and for about two months.

“It’s pretty much the same agreement you had in 2017,” Golberg said.

Commissioners discussed the contract during a study session and voted in their regular meeting to approve the contract.

LEC pact

Also, during their study session, commissioners got a look at the latest iteration of a sale agreement with the City of Owatonna for the Law Enforcement Center on Pearl Street.

While the entities now share the building, the Sheriff’s Department will move later this year into a new space at the Steele County Detention Center. City and county officials have spent months coming to terms.

“We’ve been back-and-forthing on this for a little while,” said Golberg, who has worked on the agreement with city administrator Kris Busse and city attorney Mark Walbran. “I think we’re close to where we want to be.”

The property has an appraised value of $1.4 million, and the city will pay the county $700,000 for its share, with a closing date of April 12.

With the Detention Center addition incomplete, the county will continue to occupy the building, paying a pro-rated share of utilities and operating expenses, according to the draft. The county will occupy its space rent-free for a year, then pay $19 a square foot.

Commissioner Greg Krueger asked for two changes: how the purchase price will be paid (lump sum or installments) and an addition that clarifies the city will pay not only for repairs to the building but also improvements and planned upgrades.

Golberg said he’ll bring the agreement back for approval at the board’s April 9 meeting.