At a special meeting on Tuesday, July 20, the Lake County board of commissioners approved the retirement of Health and Human Services Director Dennis Henkel. Henkel had been arrested for driving while intoxicated in Cook County on July 13, 2010. When stopped by the Minnesota State Patrol, Henkel was on his way to a regional director’s meeting at Superior Ridge Resort in Schroeder. He pled guilty to the charge.
Henkel’s retirement will begin Aug. 31. He is currently on paid administrative leave and will utilize vacation time until the retirement date. The Lake County board also approved Human Resources seeking a new director.
Henkel will be eligible to collect a pension through the Public Employees Retirement Association. Because of his years in PERA as a public employee, he was eligible for retirement. The county will pay into PERA during Henkel’s vacation time and will also pay health insurance. After that, Lake County is clear of any financial obligations to him.
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