Stearns Outlines Plan to Replace Retiring Administrator

ST. CLOUD -- Stearns County's administrator is ready to ride off into the sunset. George Rindelaub is retiring after serving in that role for 28 years.

Steve Hammes is the current Assistant to the County Administrator. He'll take over as Interim Administrator April 1st.

Stearns County Human Resources Director Jennifer Thorston says they are now assembling an interview team made up of county board members, county staff and industry experts.

Interviews of the 24 applicants who are seeking the permanent administrator's position will be held April 4th and 6th. From there, the panel will narrow the group of candidates down to a group of semi-finalists. They will then be interviewed before the full board of commissioners on May 2nd.

Thorston says the county will also be performing its due diligence during this time including background checks and a leadership assessment.

A group of finalists are expected to be announced sometime in May with a new administrator in place by mid-June to mid-July.