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The Cities Blog
Sasha Aslanian

Hennepin County names new administrator

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If you are the kind of dutiful citizen who likes to keep track of who's running your county, we have an update for you.

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has named David Hough the new county administrator. Hough served as deputy county administrator from 2008 to 2012, and acting county administrator following the retirement of Richard Johnson in December 2012.

It's a big job. Hennepin is the state's most populous county, with a budget of nearly $1.8 billion.

According to a county press release:

County Board Chair Mike Opat said, "The County Board is very pleased to have David Hough in this important position. He has demonstrated great skill over his long career at the county. David is well known to the community and Hennepin staff, and we're confident in his ability to lead the county and keep it a strong model of public service."

"I am humbled and honored by this appointment," said Hough. "For the past 30 years it has been my privilege to call myself a Hennepin County employee. I look forward to working with the County Board and all county employees in this role and continuing to serve the residents of Hennepin County."

"Going forward, Hennepin County will face many challenges and opportunities," Hough noted. "We will succeed as we have in the past, because we are a strong and resilient organization which has bright, talented and innovative policymakers and employees."

Prior to working as deputy county administrator, Hough worked in the Hennepin County Attorney's office from 1982 to 2008. He holds a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul.

According to the press release, the county did a national search and Hough beat out more than 90 candidates for the top job.

The Hennepin County administrator oversees a staff of 8,000 and directs the strategic management of the county's health and human services, justice, libraries, public works and government operations. The position is also directly responsible for budget and finance, human resources, information technology and property services.