Becker County Administrator Mike Brethorst Voted Out in Closed Meeting

Mike Brethorst being interviewed on KDLM

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Mike Brethorst, the Becker County Administrator has been voted out of his position by the Becker County Board of Commissioners.

In a closed meeting, Thursday, Sept. 16 the county board voted 4-1 to take the action. Brethorst will receive a $45,000 lump sum severance payment and will stay on the job until Oct. 8.

The Detroit Lakes Tribune reports that Commissioner Richard Vareberg cast the only dissenting vote, because he did not agree with the lump sum payment. “I don’t like paying people for doing a bad job,” he said. “I usually just send them home.”

Brethorst was hired in January of 2019, he previously served as the city administrator for Melrose.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Becker County, after 20 years of public service, I have opted to join the private sector and i thank the County for honoring my request to separate from my employment agreement,” Brethorst said in a statement, Friday.

The Becker County Board will now look to hire a new County Administrator.