Posted: 1/8/03

Thoreen resigns from Chisago County post

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Jim Thoreen is on his way out as county administrator in Chisago County.

The 10-year county administrator tendered his resignation to the outgoing Chisago County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 30. The resignation was accepted on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Ben Montzka of Wyoming opposed.

Thoreen cited personal reasons for his decision to leave the $95,000-a-year post. He was hired in December of 1992 and started work in January of 1993.

He heads the county work force which has 300-plus employees this year.

In announcing his decision to resign, Thoreen said he was exercising a contract clause that calls for the administrator to give 60 days notice before leaving the post. The 60-day notice will carry him through February.

Thoreen said this week if the county board has not found a successor by March 1, he could stay on for a short time period if the new county board so desires.

ìI donít know at this point,î Thoreen said of his future plans. A Lindstrom resident, Thoreen said he is exploring options in the private and government sectors.

In all, he has spent close to 25 years in government service. Prior to coming to Chisago County, he worked in county government jobs in Clay (Moorhead) and Stevens (Morris) counties and was county auditor in Beltrami County (Bemidji).

Whatís next

The new Chisago County Board this week (Tuesday) was expected to begin talks on what to do to replace Thoreen.

While Thoreen said he would not be part of that process, he would present options for the county board to look at in naming a successor.

Tuesday, Jan. 7 saw Lora Walker and Rick Olseen take their newly elected seats on the county board. They claimed four-year terms in the November county election.

They join incumbents Bob Gustafson, Mike Robinson and Montzka. Montzka, running unopposed, was elected to a second four-year term last November.

Montzka said this week he is hopeful the new county board will use the departure of Thoreen as an opportunity to examine the county government management structure.

ìI lean toward replacing that management function,î Montzka said. Still, he hopes the board in its study will look at other possibilities, including the use of a lower paying county coordinator position.

Such a step would lead to the possibility of not replacing Thoreen, Montzka said.

Montzka said he opposed accepting Thoreenís resignation because he felt the decision was being rushed.

ìI didnít support the way it was handled,î Montzka said. ìIt should have been left to the new county board.î

Along with Gustafson and Robinson, now departed county board members Tom Delaney and Bob Vande Kamp all voted to accept the resignation. Delaney was defeated in the September primary election and Vande Kamp was ousted in the November election.

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