Dunn County superintendent resigns after 25 years; commissioners appoint interim and narrowly approve job posting

Terry Schwartzenberger submitted a letter of resignation as Dunn County Road Superintendent after 25 years with the department; the county commission accepted the resignation at its March 4 meeting and appointed Assistant Road Superintendent Mike Karey as interim.

Madam Chair Tracey Dolezal and other commissioners thanked Schwartzenberger for his long service. The appointment of Karey as interim passed on a unanimous vote when the commission accepted the resignation and then moved to appoint him.

Commissioners later debated whether to post the permanent Road Superintendent opening immediately or to wait and evaluate the interim. Commissioner Olson and Commissioner Dolezal argued for posting the job to be consistent with other county hiring practices and to ensure a timely applicant pool; Commissioner Dolezal noted that recruitment “takes time to get applicants.” Commissioner Heiser and Commissioner Kleemann said they preferred to wait and see how the interim performed. The motion to post the position passed 3–2, with Commissioners Olson, Dolezal and Pelton voting aye and Commissioners Heiser and Kleemann voting no.

The road department reported routine operational activity during the meeting: scoria hauling is nearly complete and crack-filling is planned in the coming weeks. Multiple road projects were also discussed earlier in the meeting, including permitting and design milestones on 16th St. SW, 98th Ave. SW, and other county routes.

The commission did not set a firm timeline for hiring a permanent superintendent at the March 4 meeting; the posting process is expected to begin following the vote to advertise the vacancy.