Ramsey County will soon be looking for a new county manager to replace Ryan O’Connor, who will be named this month as the next regional administrator for the Metropolitan Council.

O’Connor’s appointment is expected to be officially approved by the full Met Council on Dec. 13. The seven-county metro’s regional planning agency oversees Metro Transit, solicitations for federal transportation funding, wastewater infrastructure, regional parks and trails, planning grants, a suburban Section 8 affordable housing program and other regional priorities.

O’Connor had served as Ramsey County’s director of policy and analysis and deputy county manager before being elevated to county manager in July 2018, less than two years before the outset of the pandemic. When COVID-19 became a household word, he oversaw a breakneck pivot to transform county services, including setting up a range of emergency shelters for the homeless.

“Given Ryan’s extensive background in successfully leading regional government, I am confident he’s the right choice to lead the organization,” said Charlie Zelle, Met Council Chair, in a written statement. “Ryan has unmatched experience and a record of leadership in every possible aspect of planning and community engagement. I am fully confident he will represent the best interests of Minnesotans throughout the region.”

O’Connor will oversee an organization of more than 4,000 employees and advise the 17-member Met Council on regional policymaking, program development and implementation.

In addition to leading county services through the pandemic, O’Connor and the county board have waded through budget disputes with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s office. The board in 2020 considered having the sheriff become an appointed position, rather than elected.

Following scrutiny of his department’s hiring choices and budget overruns, Sheriff Bob Fletcher this year floated the idea of having the county manager become an elected position, rather than appointed.