Waite Park Considering Appointing Stearns County As Emergency Manager

(KNSI) – Waite Park is in preliminary discussions to make Stearns County the city’s emergency manager.

The topic will be discussed tonight at a city council work session. Stearns County already oversees Waite Park’s EMS Plan and staff say it might be a good time to deepen the relationship as longtime police chief Dave Bentrud is set to retire in May. A representative from Stearns County will present to the group at the meeting, and if there is interest it would then go to the board of commissioners for consideration.

Bentrud will present tonight as well, discussing staffing within the department and future hiring plans. There has been an influx of new, younger officers in recent years which has led to additional expenses. Training and supervision are required early on in an officer’s career, which presents a time demand on staff.

Bentrud will talk about future hiring plans and how that can be accommodated during a transition to a new leader for the department. Other topics on the agenda include the introduction of Zach Dubay as the new Waite Park Public Works Supervisor and potential improvements at the STARail museum on 3rd Street North.

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