Ostlie to head both county RDA and HRA starting in July

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
3-24-21
Swift County will merge the executive positions of the Rural Development (RDA) and Housing and Redevelopment Authority under Laura Ostlie in July.
Ostlie was named the RDA executive director last October and official came on board with the county in November.
Now, under the county’s early retirement program, HRA Executive Director Vicki Syverson is leaving Aug. 26. At that time, Ostlie will assume the duties of both jobs.
County Administrator Kelsey Baker told commissioners at their March 16 meeting that Ostlie, Syverson, Human Resources Manager Amanda Ness, and herself had conducted many conversations on the duties and responsibilities of the position.
“We do feel it is in the best interests of these two departments and Swift County to recommend Ostlie to the department head position when Syverson retires,” Baker said.
Syverson has recommended that that Ostlie move into the position July 1 so that she has time to do both jobs while she is still on the staff to advise her.
It is not legally in the best interests of the county to consolidate the HRA and RDA into one office because of financial advantages, such as applying for grants, Baker told commissioners. The two separate HRA and RDA boards of directors will remain in place. “However, our recommendation is to have an overarching director,” she said.
“With Laura’s organizational skills, motivation, her wealth of knowledge regarding housing, and economic development, it is in our best interest to move her into the position,” Baker said. There will be a learning curve, but “we feel she is the right fit for this,” she added.