Sherburne County board appoints Dawn Nyehus as county attorney after Kathleen Haney retirement

The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Dawn Nyehus as Sherburne County Attorney, filling the seat left by Kathleen Haney, who is retiring April 30, 2025.

Board Chair and county staff presented the board with a recommendation after a public recruitment and interview process that produced four finalists. "We did entertain a process approved by the board. We advertised and solicited interested applications. We had 4 absolutely outstanding finalists that were interviewed," County Administrator Bruce Messelt said during the presentation of the appointment resolution.

The board approved resolution 041525AD3205 (appointment of Dawn Nyehus) by voice vote. Commissioners who served on the interview panel spoke in support of the appointment. Commissioner Danielowski moved the resolution; the motion received a second and carried with all members present voting in favor.

Haney, who served 22 years as the elected Sherburne County Attorney and more than 30 years in county service, received a proclamation and public thanks from commissioners and staff at the meeting. Haney reflected on partnership across elected offices and said she was leaving the office with "incredibly capable individuals." Messelt said Nyehus will begin work on May 1 and that the official public swearing-in will occur at the board meeting on May 6; a judge will preside.

Messelt said county staff and departments expect to work closely with Nyehus during the transition. "Don's success is our success and we will really look forward to working with her," he said.

No legal objections or qualified votes were recorded in the meeting minutes. The appointment proceeds immediately under the board's authority to fill the county attorney vacancy.

Ending: Nyehus's start date is May 1 and the board scheduled a formal swearing-in May 6. The county will proceed with transition tasks and coordination between Nyehus and county departments.