Dave Betts
Cook County’s Highway Engineer, David Betts, submitted his resignation on July 3 indicating his last day would be August 4.
Mr. Betts was hired May 18, 2010. He indicated he was leaving Cook County for a new job opportunity.
In his resignation letter Mr. Betts said he “greatly appreciated the opportunities this position has afforded me.”
After a review with Cook County Board Chair Jan Sivertson, Vice Chair Heidi Doo-Kirk and Cook County Administrator Jeff Cadwell it was decided that Betts’ last day would be July 6. Administrator Cadwell and Board Chair Sivertson met with Mr. Betts on July 6 to review transition plans, thanked him for his work, and then informed him that July 6 would be his last day at work.
Administrator Cadwell said letting Mr. Betts go early was to provide protection for the county and the resigning engineer.
“We wish David all the best in his new endeavor and thank him for his seven years of service here in Cook County,” said Mr. Cadwell.
Plans and recruitment to replace the highway engineer will begin soon. The search committee will include Cadwell, Human Resources manager Judy Hill, one commissioner, one department head and a community member at large, and two employees from the highway department.
While all planned infrastructure projects and road maintenance will continue, administrator Cadwell has been in discussion with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Lake County to provide technical and professional assistance during the search period. Mr. Cadwell will work to contract engineering services to meet standards and requirements and to keep projects on schedule.
Mr. Betts will be paid through August 4. During his time in Cook County Mr. Betts worked without an assistant engineer for nearly two years and the maintenance director for the highway department, Russ Klegstad, who has suffered from illness for almost the same length of time.
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