After a month-long search following the retirement of former administrator Rhonda Sivarajah, the Anoka County Board of Commissioners selected Jim Dickinson as the county’s new administrator on Tuesday.

Jim Dickinson (Courtesy of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners)

For close to 20 years, Dickinson was the city administrator of Andover and previously served as the city’s finance director and interim administrator for five years. Before Andover, he worked as an accounting manager for Anoka County, a city accountant for Cottage Grove and an accountant with Anoka County, according to a news release from Anoka County.

He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Cloud State University.

“I think the search process for a new administrator went well,” said Mike Gamache, chair of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners. “Jim stood out among the applicants because he has more than 30 years of experience in the public sector – as a city administrator, finance director, and he worked in accounting for Anoka County. He’s a great addition to our leadership.”

Dickinson said he foresees challenges in the county surrounding budgeting, employment, rise in population and the Anoka County jail project. Dickinson said he plans to tackle these challenges collaboratively with the municipality.

“The challenge is exciting,” Dickinson said. “I’ve been in Andover and we’re on a good trajectory in this organization right now so I’m looking for a new challenge.”

Dickinson will officially begin serving as the Anoka County administrator in September.

“Being the new administrator in Anoka County is kind of a homecoming for me,” Dickinson said in the release. “Many of the faces have changed since I worked here last, but there are a few people who are still here. I’m excited to reconnect with them, and work with new staff and commissioners. I’m thankful for the opportunity, and I welcome the challenge.”

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