KDSN Radio

The Crawford County Conference Board received a complaint from an employee in early May alleging discrimination in the workplace which created a hostile environment. The conference board, through their human resources consultant, hired an independent consultant to investigate the complaint. 

The investigator found the employee’s complaint of discrimination to be unfounded. However, through the investigative process, several issues were identified which contributed to the complaint and the employee’s feelings of unfair treatment. 

The conference board met with the consultant to review the findings and potential recommendations to address the issues which contributed to the complaint, and which could improve the efficiency and transparency of the assessor’s office. As part of this meeting, the conference board also accepted the resignation of the current acting assessor, Madison Jacobsen, and entered into a separation agreement with Jacobsen to ensure the continued operations of the county assessor’s office. 

The separation agreement between Jacobsen and the county is a public document and is mutually beneficial to both Jacobsen and the county. As part of the agreement, Jacobsen agrees to serve as the interim county assessor on a full-time basis and then transition to a part-time basis through December 10, 2025, allowing the conference board the opportunity to select a new assessor. The agreement also provides a release from future litigation and legal action against the county by Jacobsen. 

Supervisor David Muhlbauer, who also serves as the chairperson for the conference board stated “This process has provided input and direction for the conference board to follow to ensure the future success of the assessor’s office. The conference board considers this a closed matter, and we are directing our focus on the recruitment of a new assessor during Jacobsen’s transition period.”