The Dakota County Board of Commissioners has selected five finalists for the open position of county manager.
The finalists are:
- Scott Arneson, county administrator, Goodhue County, Minnesota
- Georg Fischer, director, Dakota County Physical Development Division
- David McKnight, director, Dakota County Enterprise Finance and Information Services Division
- Justin Miller, city administrator, City of Lakeville, Minnesota
- Heidi Welsch, county administrator, Olmsted County, Minnesota
The finalists were chosen May 21 from among 15 semifinalists. There were 52 applicants.
The board will interview the finalists Monday, June 24 at the Dakota County Administration Center in Hastings. A community stakeholder event will be held at 5 p.m. June 24 at the Western Service Center in Apple Valley.
The board will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25 in Hastings for further discussion.
The board is hiring a new county manager following the May 23 retirement of former County Manager Matt Smith. Tom Novak, director of the Dakota County Public Services and Revenue Division, was appointed as interim county manager.
Scott Arneson currently serves as the county administrator for Goodhue County, Minnesota, where he has been in the position for nearly 17 years. Prior to this, he served as the county administrator for Aitkin County, Minnesota, for 11 years, and as an administrative assistant for the City of Faribault, Minnesota, for two years. Arneson has a bachelor's degree in biology from Concordia University, a master's degree in public administration from Hamline University, and a master's degree in financial services and a doctorate degree in leadership from the University of St. Thomas.
Georg Fischer is currently employed by Dakota County, Minnesota, where he has served as the director of the Physical Development Division for two years. He previously served as the director of the Environmental Resources Department for nine years. Prior to this, Fischer served for 20 years in the Minnesota Air National Guard, where he held the positions of Executive Officer (two years), Detachment Commander, 55th CERFP (seven years), and Environmental Manager/Public Health Officer (11 years). He has a bachelor's degree in biology/chemistry from the University of Minnesota–Duluth, a master's degree in environmental and public health from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and a master's degree in military operational art and science from Air Command and Staff College.
David McKnight is currently employed by Dakota County, Minnesota, where he has served as the director of Enterprise Finance and Information Services Division for two years. Prior to this, he served as the city administrator for the City of Farmington, Minnesota, for nearly 11 years, as the City Administrator for the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, for two years, and as the County Administrator for Dodge County, Minnesota, for eight years. McKnight holds a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and a master's degree in urban studies, both from Mankato State University.
Justin Miller currently serves as the city administrator for the City of Lakeville, Minnesota, where he has been in the role for more than nine years. Prior to this, he served as the city administrator with the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, for three years, as the city administrator with the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, for more than five years, and as the assistant city manager and assistant to the city manager with the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, for four years. Miller holds a bachelor's degree in political science/business administration from Austin College and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Kansas.
Heidi Welsch is currently employed by Olmsted County, Minnesota, where she has served as the county administrator for the past seven years. She previously served as Olmsted County's deputy administrator for eight months and as the director of Family Support and Assistance for three years. Prior to this, Welsch was employed by Dakota County, Minnesota, as the manager of the Office of Planning and Analysis for six years and as the deputy director of Employment and Economic Assistance for two years. She holds a bachelor's degree in geography/anthropology and a master's degree in geography from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a doctorate degree in public administration from Hamline University.