(ANOKA) – Anoka County Commissioners have talked quite a bit lately about who will fill Administrator Jerry Soma’s role once he retires at the end of April, but at Tuesday’s meeting, they took time to honor the man who has worked for the county in many capacities for six decades.
Lead by Commission Chair Rhonda Sivarajah, who has openly said she would like to succeed Soma, commissioners took time to pay tribute to Soma. The commission also passed a resolution calling April 23 Jerry Soma Day.
Soma thanked the commissioners and praised them for their work over his time as administrator.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of it, enjoyed each one of you, enjoyed the staff,” said Soma. “I guess that’s why I was here so long, is the enjoyment.”
Soma began working for Anoka County in 1966 as a corrections officer. He became administrator in 2011. His last official day with the county is May 1.
The commissioners compromised on a plan to post the opening for the job for 10 days for all county employees and elected officials. This came about after a small number of commissioners objected to a plan to simply appoint the next administrator–a move many assume would help Sivarajah ascend to the position.
A three member panel will interview applicants and report back to the full commission.
