Iron County Clerk Saari hands reins to Christan Brandt

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — Iron County Clerk Michael Saari was all smiles on Thursday of last week.

It was his final day on the job, and coworkers were about to send him off with a farewell party.

Saari had a 25-year career with the county, having started in January 1999.

Over the quarter-century of his tenure, he worked closely with the public and the Iron County Board of Supervisors and its committees.

Saari once served on the board himself, representing Hurley from 1982-1984 before he moved to Oma.

At that time, he said the board had 19 representatives. Now there are 15, including Board Chairman Joseph Pinardi, with whom Saari has worked closely.

Although the county does have a separate treasurer in Clara Maki, Saari also has made a point to keep board members updated on city budgeting and finances.

The county has continued to benefit in recent years from substantial funding allotments from the American Rescue Plan Act, from which has resulted expanded cell coverage.

The county also expects to receive additional funding from a national carbon credit plan that, starting at the turn of the new year, could result in millions of dollars due to commendable practices in managing the county’s 175,000 acres of forest.

Saari attended his last board meeting on Sept. 26, at which time the chairman and other board members thanked him for his service and wished him well in his retirement.

Saari has no concerns about his successor, Christan Brandt of Mercer, who began training with him on July 31.

“It’ll be a smooth transition,” said Saari. “Everything will be just fine.”

Now in the role of interim clerk, Brandt said that she will finish Saari’s current term and then will run for the office of clerk in the Nov. 5 election of 2024.

Brandt served most recently for three years as the clerk/treasurer of Howards Grove, Wisconsin. Prior to that, she worked for 14 years in Mercer, serving eight years as town treasurer and six years as town clerk.

Saari’s advice to her was short and sweet: “Just do your job, and keep your mouth shut. That’s about as easy as it gets.”

Deputy Clerk Kathryn Brauer also will work with Brandt. Brauer has served for eight years in her role and 20 years with the county overall.

“She started in the sheriff’s department,” said Saari of Brauer.

The Iron County Clerk’s office now operates on a new schedule. It is open on Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to be in North Dakota hunting ducks and geese,” said Saari on Thursday of last week.

He added that he will remain available to Brandt, as needed, to answer questions.