Residents accuse Emergency Management Commission and county officials of hiding settlement and hiring problems

Several residents used the public-comment period to allege opacity and improper handling of a settlement and hiring in Bremer County's Emergency Management operations.

"They moved to approve the minutes on the April meeting completely ignoring the pretending the July 3 meeting never occurred," said Mike Locosti, who identified himself as "a concerned taxpayer of Bremer County," and alleged a $200,000 settlement was concealed from the public. Locosti said he obtained draft minutes for July 3, 2025, via a FOIA request and questioned whether the settlement was properly approved in public session.

Chris Holtaus told the board he believes the Emergency Management Commission "conducted a flawed and rigged hiring process" and alleged county staff prepared a "letter of educational and experiential qualification" that overstated the credentials of Aaron Guttenbauer, identified in the transcript as emergency management coordinator. Holtaus asserted the county has paid roughly $350,000 so far in settlement and wages related to the hire and urged supervisors to "come clean with the taxpayers" and hold responsible parties accountable.

County officers responded in part during the meeting: an official stated the agreement was drafted by outside counsel retained by the commission rather than by the auditor's office. The board chair said he would meet with County Attorney Darius between meetings and review litigation and settlements, noting some matters cannot be publicly disclosed. The county did not provide documentary confirmation or fiscal detail in the meeting to substantiate or refute the claims; the allegations were presented as citizen concerns and calls for follow-up review.