Sawyer County confirms Mike Markran as county administrator; approves dual finance role for six months

The Sawyer County Administration Committee confirmed Mike Markran as county administrator and voted to allow him to continue serving as the county’s finance director for a six-month trial period, with a committee review scheduled in December.

The committee voted to appoint Markran during its administrative meeting after a brief nomination and acceptance; the committee then discussed whether he should retain finance responsibilities in addition to the administrator role. Members agreed to a six-month review and recorded that Markran would receive the county administrator pay while holding both duties.

Committee members discussed past examples and the potential workload. Committee Chair (name not specified in the record) opened the item by reminding members that the administrator appointment still required full-board approval. A motion to confirm Mike Markran as county administrator was made and seconded; the committee approved the confirmation by voice vote.

When the committee discussed whether Markran should continue as finance director, members referenced historical practice in which a single person held both roles before duties were delegated. Several committee members supported a trial period to monitor workload and effects on departmental operations. One member said a three-month check might be too short; the committee settled on a six-month trial with a December review.

Markran spoke directly about his willingness and the limits of the arrangement. He told the committee, “I am willing to take on the role of administrator, continue the role of finance director at the pay negotiated for the administrator role.” That statement was included as part of the record the committee used when it moved to formalize the dual assignment.

The motion formalizing the dual role — that Markran would serve as county administrator and continue as finance director, paid at the administrator rate, with a six-month committee review — passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The committee noted administrative next steps: the full County Board will consider the appointment at its next meeting, and committee members asked Markran and staff to raise any workload problems earlier than the six-month checkpoint if they arise.

The committee also approved appointing Markran as Sawyer County’s representative to the Northwest Regional Economic Development Fund Administrative Committee; he accepted the appointment.