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Commissioner Lee Gessner resigns; Ramsey County to solicit applicants for appointment
Summary
Commissioner Lee Gessner submitted an immediate resignation. Commissioners discussed statutory requirements for filling the vacancy and voted to advertise and accept letters of interest to the auditor ahead of the next meeting.
The Ramsey County commission received and acknowledged a letter of resignation from Commissioner Lee Gessner dated Nov. 4, 2025, effective immediately.
The board discussed the statutory process for filling vacancies. County counsel (Speaker 6) explained that state law requires the vacancy be filled immediately by appointment of a qualified elector, but that if the commission cannot agree on a successor the statute defaults the appointment to the county treasurer. Commissioners debated timelines and agreed that soliciting letters of interest would be an appropriate transparent first step. The board moved and approved a motion to solicit letters of interest to the auditor with a submission deadline to be provided to commissioners before the next meeting (advertising and receipt dates discussed; the commission set an application window ending before the next planned meeting).
Commissioners said they prefer to select an appointee by the next meeting rather than allow the position to default to the treasurer. The group also noted the appointee would serve until the next general election, at which time the position would be on the ballot.
No appointment was made at the meeting; the county will accept letters of interest and revisit appointment at the subsequent meeting.
