By Steve Prinsen
The Wright County Board and its Administrator Lee Kelly parted ways last month after each party accepted a separation agreement.
Kelly had been the administrator for 11 years. At the county board July 2 meeting, he was placed on paid leave, citing reviewing his performance. Tina Diedrick, who serves the Annandale-South Haven area, was the dissenting vote at that meeting, stating she did not have enough information on the matter.
On Wednesday, July 10, the board met and approved the agreement that pays Kelly six months of wages, $92,500, as well as a $17,800 health insurance contribution, and other benefits he accrued.
In the agreement, Kelly agreed to release any claims against the county, not file a lawsuit or make any demands to the county. He also agreed to not seek employment from the county in the future.
Kelly was instrumental in overseeing a growth spurt in the county that included the building of the Wright County Government Center and other initiatives. He typically would address the growth and changes to taxpayers in January of each year, reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments.
Kryzer appointed
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the board voted unanimously to designate Greg Kryzer as the interim county administrator.
A news release noted that Kryzer, a 2005 graduate of the Hamline University School of Law, has worked in the Wright County Attorney’s Office since 2010 and was named Civil Division Chief in March 2021.
He has represented Wright County as the chief counsel in all civil litigation and has also served as chief counsel for the Wright County Board of Commissioners.
During his designation as interim administrator, Kryzer will retain his position as Civil Division Chief.
County Board Chairperson Darek Vetsch said Kryzer’s experience working alongside the county board makes him an ideal designee for the interim county administrator.
“Greg has worked with the county board for more than a decade,” Vetsch said. “That experience will be important as we begin the process of selecting a permanent county administrator.”
Vetsch said no timeline has been set for the search for a new county administrator, adding his appreciation of the work Kelly did in his 11 years as county coordinator and administrator.
“Lee served the residents of Wright County well in his 11 years, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Vetsch said.
Kryzer said he is looking forward to the challenges in the coming months as he intends the continuity of operations and transition to be seamless.
“Having a familiarity with the county board is invaluable because Administration and the commissioners work closely together to enact policy,” Kryzer said.
“I look forward to working with the county board and our different departments as we go through the process of finding a permanent county administrator.”