Likely top administrator candidate leaving county

Rick Niemeier, Trempealeau County’s corporation counsel for six years and a potential leading candi-date for the new county administrator, has accepted a position as the administrator for the city of Onalaska.

“The (Onalaska) position was open,” Niemeier said. “I thought I would give it a shot and it was offered. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to be Trempealeau County’s first admin-istrator but, timing.”

Niemeier’s last day with the county will be Sept 8.

In addition to his corporation counsel duties, Niemeier also headed the county’s child support agency. In January, the county board selected him to direct the personnel office and be county coor-dinator, a management position but one with fewer duties than an administrator. 

Following research by a special committee on whether to hire an administrator, the board in July voted unanimously to do so, reversing years of reluctance to create the position.