BREAKING NEWS: Freeborn officials approve contract with Aeschliman

Just days after saying she would likely stay put in Blooming Prairie, city administrator Melanie Aeschliman seems headed for a new job. 

The Albert Lea Tribune on Tuesday morning reported that Freeborn County officials have approved a contract with Aeschliman to serve as their county administrator. 

She had previously declined an offer after BP city council members in an emergency meeting approved a “merit retention offer” that would have increased her salary to $150,000–a bump of nearly $35,000–effective March 2. Her pay would have remained at that level until the city's pay scale is restructured. 

After Aeschliman turned down the county offer on Feb. 3, Freeborn commissioners asked their interim administrator to reach out with a counter offer. She told the Times last week that she would consider it. 

“I will entertain it, but I know we have good things here, and good people. My heart’s here; I don’t know if I can … my heart’s here.”

Details of the new contract and information about the Freeborn County meeting were not posted on the county's website. 

This is a developing story. More information will be added when it becomes available.