BREAKING NEWS: STEELE COUNTY REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH FORMER ADMINISTRATOR

Steele County has agreed to pay former administrator Laura Elvebak $225,000 to settle a lawsuit she brought against the county in 2017.
The Steele County Board approved the settlement at its June 12 meeting. As part of the settlement, the county admits no wrongdoing. 
Elvebak left in April 2017 after board members made it clear they wanted new direction for the county. She turned around and sued the county alleging sex discrimination, retaliation against a whistleblower and open meeting law violations. 
Jessica Schwie, an attorney representing Steele County, said it would consume too much time of current employees to prepare and continue fighting the lawsuit. She said county employees have more important work for taxpayers than being consumed with litigation.