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County nearing end of timeline to find replacement, will have to file for extension

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to hire an outside search firm to help the county find a new assessor.

The county has been without a permanent assessor since Oct. 16 after former assessor, Candice “Candy” Lahann, who came to Freeborn County from Olmsted County, resigned for a new opportunity in Olmsted County. State law requires counties to fill the position within 90 days, but the county thus far has been unable to find a qualified replacement.

Interim County Administrator Darrell Pettis said the issue was discussed at a recent personnel committee meeting with two of the commissioners, and the county received a proposal from DDA Human Resources Inc. to help recruit for the job for a cost of about $12,000.

Fourth District Commissioner Chris Shoff questioned the use of a firm for the position, noting the county has never used a firm for it in the past.

Pettis said the county is running out of time with the state, and if a new person is not hired who meets the qualifications, the county may face ramifications.
Auditor-Treasurer Kelly Hendrickson, who has been overseeing the department, said the 90-day window ends in mid-January, at which point the county will have to ask for an extension if they

don’t have anyone.

“It’s an imperative position,” she said, noting she needs tax capacities so she can start calculating taxes.

“Without that we’re not going to be in a good spot to get taxes out,” she said.

The county has designated an interim assessor, Luke Onstad out of Houston County, to help out at least one day a week or in evenings when he is available, and Freeborn County is paying

Houston County what his salary would be when he comes to Freeborn County.

“Hopefully we get some good candidates that can come in and will be a good fit for the team and the county,” Hendrickson said Thursday.

The search is expected to take three months, Pettis said.