WINONA, Minn. – The County Board narrowed the search for a new county administrator to two finalists but delayed going further until it can put more questions to them. The finalists:

> David Johnston, former a former city manager in Covington, Kentucky

> Sam Landercasper, currently county human services supervisor in Aspen, Colorado.

In interviews that ran six hours altogether, the Board eliminated were Eric Hansen, city administrator in Tracy, Minnesota; Tess Kruger, currently personnel director in in Houston County; Dana Schoening, former assistant city manager in Sweetwater, Texas; and Steve Sarvi, former Winona city manager. The Board reachedan  impasse on Johnston and Landercasper. Unanimity being preferable, the Board voted 3-2 to prolonged the search. If unanimity remains a goal and is impossible to reach, the Board could scuttle the search and start over. In the meantime, Assistant County Manager Maureen Holte is filling in now that Kem Fitz has retired.

Earlier: Ex-city manager seeks top county job

Johnston profile

Johnston served as city manager for Covington, Kentucky, for four years before resigning last summer. Earlier he was city manager for Maple Valley, Washington, for seven years. Before that he was village administrator for Rantoul, Illinois., for four years. He holds a master’s degree in public affairs.

Landercasper profile

For Pitkin County in Colorado, Landercasper has ben  economic assistance manager the past five years. Earlier he was  three years for Eagle County, Colorado, as a quality assurance specialist and economic services specialist. He holds a master’s degree in public management.

Johnston. Most recently the city staff chief in Covington, Kentucky.

Landercasper. County health service supervisor in Aspen, Colorado. Yes, he skis.

Observations, questions and doubts

In a series of interviews with the Winona Post  these were among County Board member preferences and also unsettled issues:

> Steve Jacob and Greg Olson were impressed with Johnson’s experience. Before resigning in Covington last summer he was city manager four years. Earlier he was city manager in Maple Valley, Washington, and village administrator in Rantoul, Illinois.  He holds has a master’s degree in public affairs.

> Marcia Ward was concerned that Johnston might be viewing Winona as merely a step on career ladder. “Do we want someone here for a couple years or for a long time?” Ward asked in a Post interview. A fact-check, howeverm showed Johnston  has held each of his positions as government administrator at least four years.

> How well has Johnston gotten along with the elected boards where he’s held the top staff job? In his interview he answered that in Rantoul, Illinois,  he left uver conflict with village board members over rental inspections of board members’ relatives’ properties.

> Steve Jacob and Chris Meyer liked Landercaspe’s  background in health and human services. “That’s the biggest part of our budget,” Jacob said. Landercasper could learn other areas of responsibilities in Winona on the job, Jacob said.

> Marie Kovecsi, Chris Meyer and Greg Olson were unsure of the depth of Landercasper’s administrative experience.  In Aspen he ran a department of only 20 employees, of whom only six answered directly to him. Meyer said. Winona County has 270 employees and a $60 million budget.

Earlier: Ex-city manager seeks top county job