Sawyer County committee approves department‑head succession policy, forwards to full board

The Sawyer County Administrative Committee voted to approve a written county administrator and department‑head succession policy and forwarded the measure to the full county board for final consideration.

Committee members approved the policy by voice vote after a brief discussion and public comment. The policy formalizes procedures for short‑term, long‑term and permanent absences and outlines options for joint staffing, acting coverage and outside interim appointments, County Administrator Andy Avarano said.

The policy matters because it codifies how the county will cover essential duties when department heads or the county administrator are temporarily or permanently absent. Avarano told the committee the draft is largely a written record of practices the county already follows and was adapted from a Chippewa County policy to fit Sawyer County’s staffing model.

During public comment, Linda Zilmer, an Edgewater property owner, urged the committee to clarify language about “permanent absence” and questioned a provision that gives internal candidates a role in recommending outside interim administrators. “My question is, is the language in there, for the permanent absence says that, this a special provision is that, it would be in it's it's to bring in somebody from outside the organization, but the way they're brought in is based on the recommendation of internal candidates for the position,” Zilmer said. She asked whether the provision could limit an interim administrator’s chance to become the eventual permanent administrator.

Avarano said the policy is intended to give the next administrator a role in final decisions and to provide guidance on short‑ and long‑term coverage, not to preclude outside candidates. Committee members described the document as a way to “memorialize” existing practices so future transitions are smoother.

The motion to approve and forward the policy passed on a motion by John Regheimer, seconded by Stacy Hessel. Committee members voted “aye” and the item will appear on the full board agenda for final action.

Committee members also discussed timeline and tasks for assembling turnover binders and background materials to assist the incoming county administrator, and IT will compile existing planning documents to support strategic planning work.

The committee did not make changes to the policy text at the meeting and deferred final adoption to the full board.