Board extends county administrator's contract

--- Bretl receives unanimous support from supervisors

Mike Heine/The Week

(Published Sept. 17, 2007, 2:06 p.m.)

The Walworth County Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a standard contract extension until May 31, 2008, for Administrator David Bretl.

Bretl said he didn't opt for a longer contract because the board will downsize in April, and this gives supervisors the option of going in a new direction if they want. The new contract will let the new board decide if it wants to keep Bretl as administrator, find a new administrator or go in a new direction such as electing an executive.

Bretl has no plans of leaving the county, but said he would like to have the support of a majority of the board.

"To have an administrator with minimal support is difficult for both the administration and the county board," he said. "You need strong support for a functional situation."

Bretl got unanimous support from the supervisors present. A round of applause followed the approval when Bretl re-entered the room after the vote.

Bretl will get a 2.5 percent raise Jan. 1. He makes approximately $131,000 annually as administrator and receives a $20,000 stipend for being the county's lead corporation council.

His current contract started in October 2002.

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