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For the first time in decades, Chisago County has a new Auditor-Treasurer.

Chisago County native Bridgitte Konrad, formerly  city administrator for the City of North Branch, and more recently chief deputy county auditor, has officially succeeded Dennis Freed.  He retired from the county with 48 years’ service (41 as auditor) The County Board unanimously appointed Konrad to be Auditor-Treasurer effective January 1, 2020.

This is the first appointment of someone to serve as Chisago County auditor-treasurer under a new state law that allowed contracting with the incumbent to name a replacement outside the ballot process.

The County Board had combined the jobs of treasurer and auditor when longtime Treasurer Lee Olson retired a few years ago.   Chisago County Assessor and Recorder are also appointees.

Konrad brought a plan to the County Board recently to revise some job descriptions in the department which has almost three full time equivalent (2.75 FTE) positions vacant.  The second in command position formerly held by Konrad will be filled with a hire that brings audit and public accounting experience specifically, to balance the extensive elections expertise Konrad brings.

Any year there is a general election, such as 2020, the department beefs up personnel temporarily to handle the extra workload and Konrad also got the okay to add part time clerical help in time for both the March Township elections and March Presidential Nominating Primary in Minnesota.

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