After a year and seven days of being Brainerd's city administrator, Patrick Wussow announced his retirement.
He made the surprise announcement after Tuesday's regular Brainerd City Council meeting.
He'll stay in the post until June 6, which should allow enough time for the city to bring in a replacement.
The council accepted Wussow's retirement letter with regret. Now they'll work with Springsted, the firm which helped hire Wussow, to again fill the position. The city is under a two-year contract with the firm.
"I appreciated the year I had here," Wussow said. "I really enjoyed working with Brainerd. Things have changed in my personal life and I have ability to retire."
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Wussow, who declined to give his age, said those changes in his personal life happened after he accepted his job.
Wussow came to Brainerd after leaving his post as administrator for Aitkin County.
The city started its search for a new administrator after Theresa Goble announced her retirement.
The city hired consultant Springsted to conduct the job search. There were 38 applicants to fill the position last year.
Before coming to Brainerd, Wussow also served as city administrator in Big Lake and Tonka Bay for six years each and was the city planner in North Mankato for four years.
In retirement, Wussow said he will assist on an archeological dig site, as well as take time to fish, spend time with family and take vacations.
City Council president Gary Scheeler said the council must start its search for a replacement as soon as possible. He hopes to put a call for applicants by mid-March, doing interviews in April, and have a new administrator named come May.
"This is a huge impact as far as progressions of the city moving forward," he said. "To me, we lost a year."
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JESSIE PERRINE may be reached at jessie.perrine@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5859. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/brainerdnews .
