---

The County Board last week unanimously offered the job of County Administrator to Chase Burnham; one of about 40 applicants and six finalists who went through interviews earlier this month.  The choice of Burnham was no surprise.  He’s been deputy administrator and stepped in as interim administrator when Bruce Messelt left late last summer,  and has served as clerk of the board in the eight years he has been with Chisago County.

Salary and contract terms are being negotiated and will be announced at a later date.

The commissioners said all candidates brought something to the table.  They were pleased the in-house recruitment and vetting process yielded so many  suitable candidates without having to hire a firm that specializes in personnel services.

Burnham commented that now his title is official, he can start implementing some management policy and operations ideas he has. He remarked, “As long as we all continue to work together we can get things done.”

Meanwhile, County Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider had good news about a planned expansion and remodel of the Household Hazardous Waste Facility in North Branch. The Governor listed the facility in his capital budget recommendations earmarking $391,000.  

Schneider said the legislative process can be complicated, and hopes are that the local state lawmakers can keep the funding in the budget.  The grant would pay for about half the Household Hazardous Waste Facility projects redesigning the layout of the facility and enclosing an open storage area. Schneider said, “it’s a good step.”

Chisago County did not make the list for funding allocations for a sound system upgrade in the courts,  or for the $50 million requested for Highway 8.  Burnham said the courts project wasn’t the type  the governor was targeting in his recommendations, which are dubbed “Building One Minnesota.”

County Engineer Joe Triplett said transportation funding through the federal government is another feasible option for Hwy. 8 financing and he really didn’t expect the highway to be on this governor’s recommendation list.

Triplett also reports it’s possible the round-a-bout project at Hazelden (Center City) Hwy. 8 and County Road 26 could be ready for opening bids by February.
The Hemingway/Cty. Road 14 and new Hwy. 95 round-a-bout bid was scheduled to be opened Jan. 16.








 

---