Crow Wing County attorney Don Ryan to retire; board accepts resignation and will solicit internal candidates

County Attorney Don Ryan told the Crow Wing County Board on July 22 that he will retire, with his last day set for Sept. 12, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. "The time has come for me to trim my sails, adjust my tack, and sail away into retirement," Don Ryan said during the meeting.

The board voted to accept Ryan's resignation and to declare a vacancy in the county-attorney office. The county administrator advised that, because the county-attorney post is an elected office, an appointee must be a Crow Wing County resident and hold a valid Minnesota law license; the appointment would fill the remainder of the term through January 2027 and the seat will appear on the Nov. 2026 ballot. The board approved a motion to accept letters of interest and resumes from qualified internal candidates only, with the administrator proposing a seven-day internal posting, review by the personnel committee on Aug. 4, and an appointment consideration at the Aug. 12 meeting.

The motion to accept the resignation and to solicit internal letters of interest passed on a voice vote. Board members publicly thanked Ryan for his years of service; one commissioner said Ryan "has been a steady hand for many decades." The board did not discuss a special election; the administrator explained state statute requires appointment to fill the vacancy until the next election for that term.