by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
Anna Gruber has been offered the job as the new Sartell city administrator after the City Council voted unanimously at its March 9 meeting to appoint her.
Council members interviewed Gruber March 5, and all members said they are very impressed by Gruber’s credentials.
“I think she will do an outstanding job,” said council member Mike Chisum at the March 9 meeting. The other council members concurred with Chisum’s enthusiasm.
Since 2014, Gruber has been manager of community solutions for the Sourcewell company. Based in Staples, that company provides consultation and other services for school districts, nonprofits, counties and cities, including Sartell, which contracted with Sourcewell starting last year to help with city planning. In her work with Sourcewell, Gruber has been helping on Sartell’s goals process, including the major revision of the city’s comprehensive plan.
Gruber was the city administrator for Pierz for five years. She has served on the Sartell Planning Commission and is currently a member of the Sartell Economic Development Commission.
“She has been a resource for us that whole time as her love of all things Sartell, her professional and educational background and her willingness to donate her time and talent made her a go-to call for help when we needed it,” said current Sartell City Administrator Mary Degiovanni, who recently announced her plans to retire.
The council agreed to appoint Degiovanni as assistant administrator on the day Gruber starts the job, with Degiovanni staying on for some time to help Gruber with the transition.
Gruber has a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in business administration.
She is active in many volunteer duties. Last year, Gov. Tim Walz appointed her to a commission for Early Childhood Education. In 2018, she was the recipient of the Local Government Innovator Award from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute, one of many honors and awards she has received.
“Her (Gruber’s) years of working with Sartell in various roles made her a strong internal candidate to consider,” Degiovanni said. “But she would clearly stand out in any competitive field had she never worked with Sartell before.”
