DEPARTMENT: Office of the County Manager
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Approval Of Employment Agreement With Heidi Welsch And Appointment As County Manager
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Approve employment agreement and appoint Heidi Welsch as Dakota County Manager.
SUMMARY
The Dakota County Board received notice from the then current County Manager of planned retirement on May 23, 2024. David Drown and Associates (DDA) was selected to conduct the executive search process for a new County Manager. The County Manager position was posted from March 27 to April 24, 2024, during which time a total of 52 applications were received. Of the 52 applications, 15 semi-finalists were presented to the Dakota County Board for consideration. Of the 15 semi-finalists, five semi-finalists were selected as finalists for interview by the Dakota County Board. Special County Board meetings were conducted on June 24 and July 9 to interview finalists for the vacant County Manager position.
By Resolution No. 24-361 (July 9, 2024), the Board directed staff to negotiate an employment agreement with Heidi Welsch as the selected candidate for the County Manager position in Dakota County. An employment agreement between Dakota County and Heidi Welsch has been drafted by the County Attorney’s Office and Employee Relations Department and reviewed by Heidi Welsch. The effective date of the appointment as County Manager is proposed to be September 3, 2024, pending County Board approval of the employment agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the County Board approve the employment agreement.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board received notice from the then current County Manager of planned retirement on May 23, 2024; and
WHEREAS, David Drown and Associates (DDA) was selected to conduct the executive search process for a new County Manager; and
WHEREAS, the County Manager position was posted from March 27 to April 24, 2024, during which time a total of 52 applications were received; and
WHEREAS, of the 52 applications, 15 semi-finalists were presented to the Dakota County Board for consideration; and
WHEREAS, of the 15 semi-finalists, five semi-finalists were selected as finalists for interview by the Dakota County Board; and
WHEREAS, special County Board meetings were conducted on June 24 and July 9 to interview finalists for the vacant County Manager position; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-361 (July 9, 2024), the County Board directed staff to negotiate an employment agreement with Heidi Welsch as the selected candidate for the County Manager position in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, an employment agreement between Dakota County and Heidi Welsch has been drafted by the County Attorney’s Office and Employee Relations Department and reviewed by Heidi Welsch.
NOW, THEFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the County Manager Employment Agreement with Heidi Welsch and authorizes the County Board Chair to execute the agreement, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby appoints Heidi Welsch as County Manger effective September 3, 2024.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-361; 7/9/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: County Manager Employment Agreement
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Tom Novak
Author: Andy Benish