(Juneau) Dodge County leaders have narrowed the field of candidates in their search for the next administrator and the public got a chance to meet them firsthand at a meet and greet Monday night. The search for a new administrator comes after the retirement of prior administrator Jim Mielke whose last day in the position was a week ago, after serving in the role since 2008. In March, the county hired Public Administration Associates to aid in the search with four finalists being identified.
Rebecca Bell has been the Dodge County Human Services and Health director since 2016, serving prior as a deputy program director at the Fond du Lac County Department of Community Program and a psychiatric social worker for Fond du Lac from 2006 to 2008. Bell says she believes she has the skills, abilities and knowledge to be the county administrator. She adds she loves the community, thinks she can do the job well, and wants to continue to work for Dodge County.
Cameron Clapper has been the Whitewater City Manager since 2012. He also served the village of Waunakee as management, analyst, deputy clerk, and as village administrator from 2005 to 2010. Clapper says he is really impressed with the counties organization, the dedication of the individuals he has met, and the effort they put in for the benefit of the community as a whole. He also spoke to the quality of the facilities within Dodge County.
Daryl DeDeker is currently an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, serving as the University’s controller from 2008 to 2015. DeDeker spoke to the similarities between Dodge County and his home county, adding that he believes Dodge County has a lot of opportunity for him to help make change, in turn making the county better.
Scott Feldt has served as the county administrator in Kewaunee County since 2015. Prior, he was deputy state treasurer for four years. Feldt says he was excited to apply for the position. He adds that he and the department heads have had a level of success in Kewaunee County, and although Kewaunee County is only 20,000 people and Dodge County is 90,000 people, he believes the challenges are the same.
The public meet and greet is part of a two-day assessment process that began Monday. The county board is expected to make their pick at their meeting later this month, with the chosen candidate slated to start in the position August 1st.
