Pine County Acknowledges Administrator resignation; board sets one-week internal application window for successor

The Pine County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday formally acknowledged the voluntary resignation of County Administrator David Minkie, effective as an in-office last day of Sept. 19, 2025, with an official retirement date filed with the governor of Oct. 6, 2025.

Board members then set a timeline to fill the position by first inviting applications from current county employees. Commissioners amended an initial motion to promote the county’s auditor-treasurer, Kelly Schroeder, and instead voted to open a short internal application window: materials must be submitted to county staff by Friday (deadline set by the board). Administration will compile submissions and distribute them to commissioners; interviews are to be scheduled as part of the board’s special meeting the following Tuesday, with the board targeting roughly 45 minutes per candidate. If the board is not satisfied with internal applicants, it may open an external search later.

Why it matters: Minkie has served as county administrator; commissioners signaled that a quick, internal-first process will ease the administrative transition and allow the county to backfill Schroeder’s existing duties more promptly if she is appointed. Commissioners said timeliness is important because the courthouse and several department transitions will need management during the coming weeks.

What the board approved and next steps - The board formally acknowledged Minkie’s resignation and retirement schedule. That item was recorded as an acknowledgement rather than an action that could be blocked by the board. - The board approved an amended hiring plan: internal candidates will submit application packets by the Friday deadline; those packets will be distributed to commissioners the same day; commissioners will review over the weekend; interviews will occur during the special meeting the following Tuesday. If no internal hire is chosen, the board will proceed to an external recruitment process.

Clarifying details and limits - The board’s plan is an internal-first process; it does not permanently bar an external search if the commissioners are not satisfied with internal applicants. Several commissioners explicitly said the board could still open a public search later. - County staff (Jackie) will compile applicant materials and distribute them to commissioners. The board asked administration to schedule interview times within the special meeting’s agenda.

Speakers and roles cited in meeting transcript - David Minkie — County Administrator (resignation acknowledged) - Kelly Schroeder — County Auditor-Treasurer (potential internal candidate; current acting operations lead) - County commissioners (speakers discussed the process in public session; some used only first names in the transcript)

What the public can expect The board set the short internal application window to balance speed and internal continuity. The county will publish any subsequent, external recruitment steps only if the board decides not to appoint an internal candidate.

Ending note The board’s amended process passed after discussion about ensuring continuity at the courthouse and preserving time to backfill Schroeder’s current responsibilities if she moves into the administrator role.