Freeborn County commissioners want an administrator with a strong background in economic development, can foster a strong relationship between the cities within the county, and has a good sense of humor.

Saturday, May 05, 2001

Freeborn County commissioners want an administrator with a strong background in economic development, can foster a strong relationship between the cities within the county, and has a good sense of humor.

Now they are going to start looking for that person.

Advertising for the position will begin today, said James Brimeyer of the Brimeyer Group Executive Search firm. The county should hire an administrator by August, he said.

Brimeyer had commissioners describe the kind of person they want to fill former Administrator Gene Smith’s shoes.

&uot;Pretty much everybody said somebody who was experienced in setting up a county economic development operation would be the most desirable,&uot; he said.

Commissioners also said they wanted someone who could help address lake quality issues, facilitate the establishment of a watershed district, and explore options to combine elected positions.

Starting salary for the administrator will be somewhere between $75,000 and $85,000 yearly, commissioners decided.